Silver lining for Highland mental health charity Mikeysline
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A choir comprising retired women has raised £1050 for a Highland mental health charity.
The Silver Belles have donated the proceeds from their annual concert to Mikeysline, a pioneering suicide prevention charity which provides a text-for-help hotline service and also has a drop-in centre in Academy Street.
The choir, which meets at the Spectrum Centre, selects a different good cause each year to benefit from the fundraising concert.
Margaret Laing, the choir’s conductor, said Mikeysline relied on donations to be able to support people suffering from poor mental health.
She added: “Many families have to deal with mental health issues at some point and it’s important to spread the word and to be aware that help is at hand.”
Donna Smith, chairwoman of Mikeysline, thanked all the women who took part.
She added: “We are absolutely delighted that the Silver Belles chose to support us with their recent concert and are so grateful for the money they raised – £1,050 is a fantastic amount and will help us with the running costs of the services we provide through our textline and drop-in centre,” she said.
The event took place prior to the coronavirus lockdown which has led to a sharp rise in people contacting Mikeysline with suicidal thoughts.
Although its base at The Hive Project in Academy Street is closed, its team of office support staff and 20 volunteers is working flat out from home to deal with an increased volume of calls and texts from people suffering anxiety, depression and poor mental health as a result of the lockdown.
Contact Mikeysline by texting 07779 303303.
