Heartache of best pal’s suicide spurs woman’s fundraising initiative

A FUNDRAISER organised by a Perthshire woman after her friend took her own life has raised £2,000 for mental health charity Penumbra.

Becky Gunn, of Inchture, joined forces with holiday accommodation provider Guardswell Farm in December to organise a raffle in aid of the charity.

Penumbra works to prevent suicide and provide crisis support.

“The online Carse of Gowrie Christmas raffle has far exceeded our expectations”, Becky said.

“Grateful thanks go to Guardswell Farm for making this event possible by putting it on their website, and to Olly Bobbins, Inchture, for helping to sell tickets.

“Also, our heartfelt appreciation extends to the kindness and generosity of all the local businesses and individuals who contributed to the 36 amazing prizes.”

Prizes included in the raffle included shopping vouchers, rounds of golf and Christmas hampers.

The event also provided assistance to those in need of support from mental health organisations.

Kenny Thom, of Penumbra, said: “The pandemic has been daunting for everyone, but there’s a real risk that people already living with mental ill-health could find themselves at a crisis point.

“The added pressures of dealing with the isolation, financial worries, and other impacts of lockdown are potentially creating a perfect storm for people reaching crisis.”

Becky said the idea for the raffle came from William Wells, a joiner from Forfar, who told her he had begun a Someone’s Hero Facebook group.

“He did it to raise awareness of male suicide and mental health in his local area after a close friend committed suicide last year,” she said.

“Having also lost my best friend to suicide a couple of years ago, and after such a difficult year, I felt it was important to put on this event.”

Penumbra can be contacted at penumbra. org.uk.

Fundraisers Becky Gunn and William Wells.