Friends and family of a young West Lothian man who tragically lost his life to suicide last year have come together to remember him with a fundraising match.
Jamie Aitchison, who took his own life in December 2022, was a massive football fan and the youngster's death left a gaping hole in the lives of loved ones and the local community in Bathgate.
The 20-year-old was reported missing after vanishing from his home and the tragic discovery was made in a woodland area nearby. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Jamie was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
READ MORE: First picture of West Lothian teen who died as community hail 'lovely boy'
As the Courier reports, Jamie's mum Debbieanne Marriot and best friend Cammy Moore set up the Jamie's Sanctuary charity. The fundraising football game was organised by Jamie's pals Lee McNeil and Gary Short last weekend.
The game helped raise an amazing £3,480 for the Neil's Hugs Foundation. Debbieanne, who was delighted with the huge turnout on the day thanked everyone involved and said she was "totally overwhelmed."
She said: "Jamie's stepdad wore a Celtic t-shirt. He's the most bitter Rangers fan you could meet and he came on the pitch and played for Celtic. His pal is a Celtic supporter and he played for Rangers - these are the kind of things that people are doing for Jamie."
Donna Paterson-Harvie, founder of the Neil's Hugs Foundation, was delighted with the donation.
She said: "Neil's Hugs Foundation would like to thank everyone involved in supporting Jamie's family to raise awareness around mental ill health and suicide.
"This event was held in Jamie's memory and events like this help to get people talking. It helps to reduce stigma and hopefully this will encourage people to reach out and talk before they think that suicide is their only option.
"We are grateful that Jamie's family and friends have chosen our charity to raise awareness and funds for.
"This will help us to continue helping people in our community."
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