Techno Night For Tragic 'raver' Ross McPherson Raises £1500 For Lanarkshire Mental Health Charity
Friends have remembered a popular Lanarkshire man who "always wore headphones" to a nightclub fundraiser as he raised vital funds for a local suicide prevention charity.
Earlier this month, Club 69 in Paisley held a techno night in memory of 22-year-old Ross McPherson, who tragically took his own life earlier this year, raising £1,500 for Adored.
Ross, better known as Skinny, lived in East Kilbride but was a regular at Club 69's techno nights.
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During Mental Health Week, Club 69 welcomed some of Ross's closest friends to the club for Maximum Kontrol, which brings the best techno DJs from across Scotland to Central Belt nightclubs. .
As good friends of Maximum Control and Club 69, the two organizations have come together to honor Ross and organize a musical event that raises awareness of mental health entities.
Kieran Addy of No Mean City PR, who moderated the event, said: “ Ros has been to the club a few times and has become best friends with some of the resident DJs and the guys from Maximum Control.
“Ross loves music, you can't see him without his headphones.
“He liked to go to recitals with his friends, but he never managed to make new friends when he was there.
“His friends were delighted to commemorate Ross in a way that would make him happy and also raise awareness of mental health among young people.
“We wanted to make a concerted effort to remember Ross and raise awareness and money to help others suffering from similar psychological issues.
"The event was a great evening for a good cause and an atmosphere hard to find anywhere else in Scotland."
All tickets for the event are donated to the Adored Charity in East Kilbride, which funds mental health support for young people in the Lanarkshire area.
East Kilbride was founded by the parents of Alexander Ian Bonomi Lindsay, a teenager who took his own life on July 8, 2018, to keep the memory alive and to raise awareness of mental illness and suicide, particularly among young people.
Inspired by her favorite song, I Want to Adore by the Stone Roses, the cause was created to focus on mental health and save young lives.
Friends and family gather each year to remember a loyal supporter at Motherwell's apprentice mechanic and charity football tournament, the Alex Lindsay Cup, a cause Ross himself supported and took part in this year.
The tournament, now an annual celebration of Alex's life, has raised more than £20,000 for mental health charities.
Commenting on the donation from Ross' friends, Alex's mother Jill Bonomi-Lindsey said: “The charity is delighted to accept a generous donation of £1,500 in memory of Ross McPherson.
"We are deeply saddened to learn that Ross has died by suicide, especially after seeing Alex show his support at the Lindsey Cup two weeks ago."
On October 28, 21 young people will participate in a life coaching program sponsored by Adored, with all money raised going directly to suicide awareness and prevention.
Gill added: "We hope that the children involved in this project will provide feedback that will enable us to develop and expand the support we can provide."
Adored is also working with staff at Calderglen High School and plans to provide support to provide information and guidance during Mental Health Week.
Learn more about Adorato.
Other mental health charities may also offer confidential 24-hour support, such as:
● Samaritans - 116123 (24 hours) Calls are free and confidential. For people in an emergency or desperate situation, including those who are suicidal, email jo@samaritans.org.
● Respite Room 0800 83 85 87 (6pm to 2am daily and 24 hours at weekends) Free and confidential telephone service for those feeling down or depressed.
● Talk to your GP for mental health help and support, or call NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
● ChildLine 0800 1111: UK free 24-hour helpline for children and young people.
● HopeLine UK (0800 24 20 24) A free service for children and young people under 35 who are having suicidal thoughts and anyone who is worried that a young person is thinking about killing themselves.
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