Despite owning a home perched atop a high cliff with a scenic ocean view in Sydney, Australia, Don and Moya Ritchie live on a plot of real estate that can best be described as something out of a bad dream. The rocky cliff is known as The Gap--the most notorious suicide destination in the country.

While most people would surely move away, the Ritchies have stayed for almost 50 years, saving an estimated 160 people from taking the leap.

Every morning Mr. Ritchie wakes up and looks out the window to see if anyone is "standing alone too close to the precipice." If he senses someone may be contemplating suicide, he approaches them and asks if they'd like to talk over a cup of tea. "I'm offering them an alternative," he says.

The retired life insurance salesman says he's not "burdened" by the reality of what happens in close proximity to his house. Instead, he and his wife of 58 years have learned to look at it as a calling. He says it's wonderful to have saved so many, to have "sold them" on life.

"I think," says Moya, "isn't it wonderful that we live here and we can help people?"

In recognition of their efforts, the Ritchies were named 2010's Citizens of the Year. In 2006, the government recognized Don's efforts with a Medal of the Order of Australia, among the nation's highest civilian honors.

Although Ritchie claims to have seen more saved than lost as a result of his reaching out to them, too many have perished.

One teenager ignored his invitation and suddenly jumped as the wind blew the boy's hat back into Ritchie's outstretched hand.He later found out the teen had lived next door years earlier. His mother brought Ritchie flowers and thanked him for trying. "If you couldn't have talked him out of it," she told him, "no one could."

At 84, Ritchie has spent the last year battling... Click Here To Continue