Location: The cliffs of The Gap, Sydney 🇦🇺
Story:
For over 50 years, Don Ritchie lived across from one of Australia's most notorious suicide spots, The Gap. Instead of turning away, he kept watch. Whenever he saw someone standing too close to the edge ; alone, broken, ready to jump ,he would walk over calmly, smile gently, and ask, "Can I help you in some way? Would you like to come over for a cup of tea?" He didn't preach or panic; he offered warmth, a listening ear, and a quiet space in his home. Over the decades, he gently pulled back more than 160 people from the brink. ☕
Twist:
Don wasn't a trained counselor or a hero in the traditional sense. He was a neighbor who refused to look away. Many of those he saved later returned with families, telling him, "You're the reason I'm alive." Honored with national awards, he remained humble until his death in 2012, leaving behind a simple, powerful legacy: sometimes saving a life doesn't require a grand gesture,just a kind word, a cup of tea, and the courage to see someone in pain and say, "I'm here." In a world that often walks past suffering, Don Ritchie was the man who always stopped. 🤗