Tribute to tragic dad raises thousands for charity
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A BLACK Isle family left devastated after their 28-year-old son took his own life last year weeks after the birth of his son have raised thousands of pounds for suicide support lines in a fundraising drive.
Wendy and James Mullery’s son James, a father-of-three, was struggling with anxiety and depression.
The Cromarty-based couple, together with James’s partner Jodie, launched a fundraising campaign and a support group to help others.
There has been a positive response from people facing similar trauma.
The threesome, joined by friends of James, climbed the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours in what is known as the Three Peaks Challenge.
They raised £9387.60, of which £3000 went to the Inverness suicide support helpline called Mikeysline and the remainder was donated to The Campaign Against Living Miserably, a leading movement against male suicide.
Mr Mullery (57), a commercial waste manager for Highland Waste Services in Invergordon said the challenge, completed on June 29 was emotionally tough.
He said: "It was when we got to the third peak that it really hit me.
"We raised a bottle of beer to James. We just remembered him and talked about him, it was quite emotional all the way down.
"It was a very hard thing to do but also very rewarding and at the end of it we raised a lot of money for good causes so something good is going to come out of this."
The family set up James’s Support Group, a monthly meet-up at the Mercure Hotel in Church Street, Inverness for anyone affected by bereavement or who is supporting someone who is suicidal. Anyone wanting more information about the support group meetings can call 07563 572 471.
Mikeysline founder Ron Williamson said he was "very grateful" for the donation.
The next meeting of James’s Support Group is on Sunday, October 28 at 1pm.
