Pals remembered a popular Lanarkshire man 'who always had headphones on' at a nightclub fundraiser, while raising vital funds for a local suicide prevention charity.
The techno night in memory of 22-year-old Ross McPherson, who tragically died by suicide earlier this yea r, was held at Club 69 in Paisley earlier this month and raised £1500 for Adored.
Ross, affectionately known as Skinny, lived in East Kilbride but was a regular face at 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 Maximum Kontrol which 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.
Kieran Adie of No Mean City PR, who ran the event, said: " 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.
It was set up by the parents of East Kilbride teen Alexander Iain Bonomy Lindsay who took his own life on July 8, 2018 to keep his memory alove while raising awareness of mental ill health and suicide - particularly in young men.
Inspired by his favourite song, I Wanna be Adored , by The Stone Roses, the cause was established with a focus on mental health and saving young lives.
Friends and family gather each year to remember the apprentice mechanic and devoted Motherwell FC fan at a dedicated charity football tournament, the Alex Lindsay Cup - a cause which Ross himself supported and was a part of this year.
Now an annual celebration of Alex’s life, the tournament, has raised more than £20,000 for mental health charities.
Commenting on the donation from Ross' friends, Alex's mum Jill Bonomy-Lindsay said: "Adored graciously accepts the very generous donation of £1500 from the rave in memory of Ross McPherson.
"We were devastated to hear of Ross’s death to suicide, particularly after seeing him showing his support a couple of weeks earlier at The Alex Lindsay Cup."
On October 28, 21 young men will take part in a life coaching retreat experience funded by Adored with all money raised going directly towards raising awareness and prevention of suicide.
Jill added: "We hope that the boys taking part in this venture will be able to provide us with feedback which will enable us to develop and expand on the support we can provide."
Adored have also be working with staff at Calderglen High School and plan to provide support in helping to deliver information and guidance during their mental health week.
Find out more about Adored here.
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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