Edinburgh parents will be undertaking their last sea plunge in honour of their 25-year-old son Michael who took his own life in 2021.
Jenny and John Findlay, from Morningside, will be heading to the chilly waters of Portobello to complete their epic 385km swim in memory of Michael.
Along with 17 of their friends, the couple have clocked up thousands of miles swimming the distance between Norway to Shetland.
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They picked the distance as their last planned family holiday in 2019 was supposed to be sailing a tall ship from Bergen in Norway to Lerwick in Shetland - Michael was to join his parents and his big brother, David, but in the end he was too ill.
The mum and dad have raised £9,000 for the Samaritans Suicide Prevention initiative through their various 292 swims.
They have invited members of the public to join them on Portobello beach on Saturday to dip into the cold Forth waters.
“We could see Mike was increasingly struggling to keep hold of everything that made him feel vital and empowered, but we couldn’t help him. The all-consuming grief we feel will never end but we try to focus on the joy and love he brought to us all throughout his short life,” said Jenny.
“But we are also angry. Under current practise for adult patients, parents and carers can be locked out of any medical treatment, including providing a medical history, which could be crucial for the individual’s diagnosis, treatment and long term wellbeing.
“Because of our experience and subsequent Significant Adverse Event Review (SAERs), we are advocating for change. In our situation it could have saved Mike’s life.”
Jenny points to another recent innovation that might have diverted Mike from self-harm.
“Ripple is a browser extension universities, businesses individuals can install that interrupts any searches involving suicide ideation.
“I recently met a young person involved in this organisation. I believe this is a great step forward in helping prevent suicide,” added Jenny.
The couple are calling on others to join them for their final plunge on Saturday at 4pm at Groyne 4 on Portobello Beach to help highlight mental health, especially in young people, and to raise funds for suicide prevention.
“We’re so grateful to Jenny for choosing to support Samaritans and help our volunteers continue to be available 24/7 for anyone in need of help and a listening ear. Jenny and her friends have done an incredible job fundraising for Samaritans, and their target will allow Samaritans to answer 2,000 potentially life-saving calls. We wish Jenny all the best with her final swim on Saturday,” said Nora Salonen, community fundraiser at Samaritans.
To support the couple's fundraiser please click here. To access the Samaritans support click here.
To learn more about Ripple click here.
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