In March 2015 charities SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), SOBs (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide), Innerleithen and Walkerburn Community First Responders, and the Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab at Glasgow University, and were presented with cheques from local festival organisers Jayfest after raising nearly £5000 at the festival last year.
The fundraising event was set up in 2012 by a group of friends following the suicide of local woman Jaymie Mart and is run by volunteers with the aim to raise awareness for mental health issues and cash for local charities that can make a difference to people struggling with mental health issues.
The fundraising event was set up in 2012 by a group of friends following the suicide of local woman Jaymie Mart and is run by volunteers with the aim to raise awareness for mental health issues and cash for local charities that can make a difference to people struggling with mental health issues.
To date the festival has raised over £10K and continues to go from strength to strength. One of the organisers Dawn Derbyshire (pictured) wanted especially to thank the local community for supporting the event: ‘We’ve had great help both practically and financially with the event. Local people have been really generous with their time and money and have really helped us to make the festival what it is and to raise this money which I know these organisations can use to make a difference to people’s lives. A big thank you to everyone who has been involved.’
