Friends of Jamie Stenhouse have come together to raise funds for his funeral to help his family out.
On Monday night, police reported that they had found the body of the 34-year-old in a wooded area near to Ellen's Glen Loan after he went missing from the Gilmerton area on Saturday night. Tributes poured in from family and friends across social media and a memorial has been organised for Friday, December 16 to honour him.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Jacqui O'Donnell, 35, explained she and her friends set up a GoFundMe to make sure he gets the send off he deserves. It was set up on Wednesday and by Thursday lunchtime, they had met their £3,000 target, as the community came together to give their condolences and share how much Jamie meant to them.
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Jacqui had been friends with Jamie since primary school. She said: "Jamie was a doting father of of four-year-old Lillie, beloved son to Mags and Andy, brother to Ashley, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to many.
"Sadly on Monday after Jamie was missing for 48 hours, and searches had taken place by both police and his friends/locals Jamie was found dead after taking his own life by a local man who was out walking his dog.
"As soon as the word was out it spread very quickly throughout the community as Jamie was such a well loved and popular man and everyone that knew him was crushed!
"Jamie comes from a large extended family who are all very close and all treated Jamie like one of their own so he will be a massive loss to everyone he knew."
Jamie's best friends were 'crushed' when they heard about his passing and his mum Mags was devastated.
Jacqui added: "Myself and Jamie’s life long friends, Andrew and Darren, were crushed by this news and after speaking to his mum and seeing how devastated she was and worried about how she would afford his funeral as Jamie wasn’t insured.
"So we came up with the idea to help raise the funds as we all want Jamie to have the best send off. We started the GoFundMe. I know an average funeral would cost on average about £6/7k but I chose the target of £3k never imagining we would have hit that within 24 hours.
"I can’t thank everyone enough on behalf of his family for their massive generosity! As it is still climbing I would like people to know that the money used will help with the all funeral related costs. Hopefully we can arrange a lovely wake for him after for all that loved him to come and share our memories about Jamie.
"Whatever was left over we discussed that we would put the rest towards a suicide charity as this seems to be happening too often especially with young men in Scotland and we want to help prevent any more!"
On top of that, hearing that he was a huge Hibs fan, Easter Road gifted a signed football top. Jamie's friend explained that they will be putting it up for raffle and the money will go towards his daughter Lillie.
A memorial is also being held in honour of him on the Gilmerton bridge.
"We will hang objects and leave cards and flowers in memory of Jamie! Anyone that would like to come along to pay their respects is most welcome!", Jacqui said.
If you want to donate you can do on at GoFundMe.
If you've been affected by issues mentioned, the number below are available.
- Childline : Phone: 0800 1111. Childline is there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
- Samaritans : Phone: 116 123. Samaritans can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like about whatever’s getting to you – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Breathing Space : Phone: 0800 83 85 87. Breathing Space are a free, confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
- Mind : Phone: 0300 123 3393. Mind provide advice and support to empower you if you are experiencing a mental health problem.
- Anxiety UK : Phone: 03444 775 774. National charity for those affected by anxiety. Information line available Monday to Friday, 9:30am–5:30pm.
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