Parents aim to raise more

Not In Vain For Lee planning three main fundraising events

A MUM and dad who have been campaigning for a 24-hour crisis centre after their son took his own life have revealed their plans to raise thousands for a mental health charity.

Lee Welsh died in August 2017, leaving behind a seven-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Lee, who was just 27, had battled mental health issues for almost a decade before his death.

In the years since, his dad Phil Welsh and mum Lesley Nicoll have been raising money for mental health charities while continuing to campaign for a self-referral crisis centre to help people who find themselves with nowhere to turn.

In only two years they have raised more than £10,500 for city charities and this year they hope to raise thousands more.

All the money is raised under the banner Not In Vain for Lee.

Phil said: “Our aim is to raise more money than last year and we already have three main events lined up.

“We will once more hold our soup and pudding lunch in May, there is a charity football match in June and we will take part in the university abseil in August.

“We will also continue to hold a number of other small fundraising events and initiatives throughout the year all in Lee’s name.”

Phil said: “The Hearing Voices Network Dundee (Haven) is a small, service user-led charity which seeks to create acceptance that hearing voices is a valid experience.

“Haven provides support to voice hearers through a variety of projects, self-help groups, activities and supported volunteering.

“Our main aim continues to be a crisis centre. We were encouraged that in his independent inquiry report into mental health services Dr David Strang spoke in favour of such a centre.

“However, we have no way of knowing when this is likely, if ever, to get off the ground.

“It is something we are passionate about securing for people suffering from mental health crises in Dundee.”

Pauline and Phil at an art tribute to their son Lee.