Walkers step out in support of suicide prevention

Around 60 people joined the ‘Walk in Memory’ on Sunday, despite rain and wind, to show their support for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Fort William residents turned out in numbers to help raise awareness of suicide – an issue that has touched the lives of many Lochaber people in recent years – and support suicide awareness charity Chris’s House.

Leaving from Caol Community Centre, the group walked along the banks of the canal to the Corpach basin before making their way back to the community centre. While on the walk, participants wrote messages on pebbles and threw them into the canal while at the weir, near the basin.

The group also threw roses into the water in memory of all the local families who have lost loved ones to suicide.

On their return to the community centre, participants were welcomed with tea and coffee, stalls and activities.

Among the stallholders were Samaritans from Inverness, Hugh Asher, from mental health charity Ewen’s Room and Lochaber Hope.

A huge raffle also helped to raise funds with more than 60 prizes being handed out. The walkers raised more than £2,000 which will be donated to suicide charities and local groups.

Organiser Joyce Wells said: ‘It was an amazing amount we raised. Thanks to everyone who turned up and donated.

‘Huge thanks also to all the people who helped set up and organise day and for selling so many raffle tickets, everyone who donated to the raffle, Norma Gregor for the bouncy castle and Sandra Fraser for letting us use Caol Community Centre and for providing teas and coffees.’

Liberty British Aluminium generously donated £500 to help organiser Joyce Wells start a poster campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues and spread the message of suicide prevention.

Joyce continued: ‘A massive thanks to Liberty for the generous amount of £500. Also thanks to the Samaritans, Lochaber Hope and Ewen’s Room for coming along with displays and leaflets.

‘The main thing is we raised awareness about suicide and hopefully helped at least one person from taking their own life.’

‘The main thing is we raised awareness about suicide and hopefully helped at least one person from taking their own life.’ Photographs: Abrightside Photography.

Organisers Joyce Wells and daughter Sharon Wells.

Above: Left to right: Betty Williamson, Caroline Watt, Karen Jamieson and Irene McLaughlin with the roses which were thrown into the weir in memory of loved ones lost.

Participants threw roses into the weir on the Caledonian Canal in memory of loved ones.

Dozens of people turned out despite the rain.

Hugh Asher, a volunteer co-ordinator for mental health charity Ewen’s Room, gave advice and information.