A Scots couple will plunge into chilly waters at Portobello on Saturday to complete a swimming marathon in memory of their late son to raise funds for the Samaritans.
Jenny and John Findlay set out to swim the equivalent distance between Norway and Shetland to honour their son Michael who took his own life in 2021 aged 25.
Michael had been due to sail a tall ship from Bergen in Norway to Lerwick in Shetland with his parents and older brother John in 2019, but was too ill to go.
The Findlays, from Edinburgh’s Morningside area, have raised £9,000 for the Samaritans Suicide Prevention initiative by finishing previous 292 swims.
Along with 17 of their friends, the couple have clocked up thousands of miles for the challenge.
They will complete the 385km journey with a final swim at Groyne 4 at Portobello Beach at 4pm.
They hope to highlight mental health, especially in young people, and asked members of the public to come and join them in the Forth waters.
Jenny said: “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.
“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 pointed to another recent innovation which might have diverted Mike away from self-harm.
She said: “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.
Nora Salonen, community fundraiser at Samaritans, said: “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.”
To support the couple's fundraiser please click here.
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