Birthday challenge to help children with mental health issues
A GP practice manager took on a lung-busting birthday challenge to help support kids struggling with their mental health.
Mum-of-two Lindsay Pattie, from Troon, opted out of the traditional birthday celebrations and instead ran 43 miles around Arran on her 43rd birthday.
The GP practice manager of South Beach Medical Practice, in Ardrossan, wanted to make a difference after noticing local mental health services for youngsters at‘crisis point’.
Lindsay, who is also a trained counsellor, decided to clock up the miles in order to give kids the opportunity to access counselling services who have been unable to support local NHS services.
The mum of two boys Ruairidh, 10, and Fergus, 8, admits the daring challenge caught husband Kevin, 54, by surprise. But she was well backed by best pals Rosie Sugden and Susan Geddes as she set off in wet and windy conditions on Friday, May 6, with her boys joining her at the finish line. She started her run at Auchrannie and ran a 43 mile loop round the north of the island and over the String Road.
Lindsay hopes her incredible efforts will make a difference to other children’s lives after seeing first hand some of their difficulties in her role.
An online fundraiser has managed to raise more than £1600 so far for children who have been unable to secure the help they need from existing services.
Lindsay hopes the funds raised can help children receive essential counselling sessions with on average eight sessions required and each appointment costing £45.
She added:“I manage a GP surgery and have found that a growing number of our patients are contacting us on a daily basis for mental health reasons.
“But with mental health services in our area at crisis point, our GPs have nowhere to refer these patients to other than onto a waiting list over two years long.”