Daredevils take the plunge to raise £4,000 for RAMH
Cash will help mental health charity provide respite caravan
A group of thrill- seekers faced their fears to raise thousands of pounds for a mental health charity.
The brave men and women made a splash as they launched themselves into an adventure that had them abseiling, swimming, jumping and walking down a canyon and river in Aberfeldy.
And it was all in the name of charity, with the group of 22 brave participants successfully raising £ 4,000 for mental health support organisation RAMH.
Chief executive of RAMH, Stephen McLellan, said the fun water challenge, which took place on Saturday , went swimmingly.
He said: “It was a very successful day, and the weather was lovely.
“It was a daunting and exhilarating experience, but everyone was very committed to the challenge and really gave it their best shot.”
The group took part in the canyoning task, which is run by Splash.
This saw the participants, whose ages ranged from teens to those in their 60s, scale one mile down-river, passing through rapids, going along gorges and jumping off riverbanks into vibrant pools along the way.
“The jumps were around a three to eight-metre drop,” Stephen said.
“It was a great challenge to boost the self esteem. People who were wary about it at first felt a sense of achievement after completing it.
“It brings it back to being about positive mental health, as it was a great morale booster and allowed participants to understand their own resilience and prove to themselves that they could do it.”
RAMH promotes recovery from mental ill health and empowers people to build independent, fulfilled lives.
The charity depends on funding to allow it to continue support work for the people of Renfrewshire.
Stephen added: “The money raised can go towards a new holiday caravan which we have been looking into getting, to allow people to be taken on respite breaks.
“It will also go to things like providing equipment for our gardening group and to the hardship fund which allows us to support people.”
For more information on RAMH services, visit www. ramh. org or contact 41 Blackstoun Road, Paisley, 0141 847 8900.
If you’re in crisis, contact RAMH First Crisis, The Charleston Centre, 49 Neilston Road, Paisley, 0141 848 9090 or freephone 0800 221 8929.
The service operates 9am until 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am until 5pm Saturday and Sunday. It is open every day of the year.