A Paisley nightclub has raised vital funds for a suicide prevention charity as it remembers a close friend.
Club 69 raised £1,500 for the Adored organisation in memory of a long-time friend, Ross McPherson, who tragically died by suicide earlier this year aged just 22. Ross, who was affectionately known as Skinny, lived in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire but was a regular face in Paisley as he attended Club 69’s techno music nights.
And during Mental Health Awareness Week, Club 69 welcomed some of Ross’ best friends back to the club for a Maximum Kontrol night of music. A music promotion outfit, Maximum Kontrol brings some of the best techno DJs from across Scotland to nightclubs in communities across the central belt.
As a good friend of Maximum Control and Club 69, both organisations came together to honour Ross by hosting a music event that also raised awareness of mental health charities. Held on Friday, October 7, it featured DJs A-05, Daz, Fiisher, B2B, Sikoti and Kinnone and was promoted by Paisley’s No Mean City PR company.
Kieran Adie of the PR firm told the Express: “Ross had been to the club many times and was best pals with some of the resident DJs and the Maximum Control guys. Ross loved music, you would never see him without his headphones in.
"He loved to go to raves with friends but never failed to collect new friends when he was there. His friends felt it is only right to celebrate the memory of Ross in a way which would make him happy and at the same time raise awareness for young people’s mental health.
"We wanted to shake-a-leg in a combined effort to remember Ross and raise awareness and money to help other people facing similar mental health problems. The event was an excellent night for a good cause and an atmosphere you would struggle to find anywhere else in Scotland.”
All proceeds from the tickets for the event are being donated to the Adored charity in East Kilbride, which funds mental health support for young people in the Lanarkshire area. Club 69 has been focused on raising awareness of mental health charities and support groups amongst its young clientele for some time.
The New Sneddon Street venue opened its doors to Renfrewshire group Kickin’ On – a mental health peer support group set up by David McKenna after he, too, lost a close friend to suicide. The group has since gone on to create its own bespoke mental health and addiction support hub offering music, art and cookery courses.
It is another charity Club 69 continues to promote locally and can be contacted via the Kickin’ On Facebook page.
Other mental health charities can also provide around the clock confidential support such as:
● Samaritans – 116 123 (24hr)Calls are free & confidential. Email jo@samaritans.org For people experiencing distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.
● Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (6pm to 2am daily and 24 hours at weekends) A free and confidential phoneline service for any individual who is experiencing low mood or depression.
● For help and support for your mental health, speak to your GP or if out of hours, call NHS 24 on 111.
● ChildLine 0800 1111 – a free 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK.
●HopeLine UK (0800 24 20 24) a free service for children & young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide & for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
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