Sky’s the limit for fundraiser Kristie

Sky’s the limit for fundraiser Kristie
Kristie before jump

HNC Working with Communities student Kristie McIntosh has been flying high in her studies and also in her quest to raise money and awareness of mental health and suicide prevention.

Kristie from Grangemouth, whose father took his own life 12 years ago, decided to do a skydive for The Scott Martin Foundation – a charity formed in tribute to another suicide victim which aims to tackle the issues which can lead to people reaching a stage where they feel they have no other way out, than to end their lives.

A total of £1,920 was raised for the good cause – which also works in association with Falkirk District Association for Mental Health (FDAMH) - after Kristie successfully made her skydive on 21 February at Strathallan Airfield in Auchterarder, Perthshire.

Kristie, said: “I decided to do a skydive for The Scott Martin Foundation as it is something that sits close to my heart, and sadly too many lives have been lost due to lack of resources and waiting lists for Mental Health.

“The Foundation is in association with FDAMH (Falkirk District Association Mental Health) and aims at educating and supporting youths on Mental Health and helping to raise awareness of young people who are suffering

“After experiencing my father's suicide 12 years ago I was never strong enough to set something like this up as my mental health suffered severely for years. I found waiting lists for help took forever and seemed to be a major lack of resources. I felt like I was fighting a losing battle.

“However, after eventually getting the help I needed, I decided I wanted to give something back, and that is when I reached out to Scott's mum Samantha and asked to jump in Scott's name, which she kindly agreed to. This made me extremely happy as I was giving something back in my father's name. I am not going to lie, it was a very emotional day, but reflecting, I know they were flying with me.

“After four attempts due to weather conditions and Covid 19, I was finally able to hit the sky on 2Feb 2022. This was an amazing experience, but the fact that I was jumping for this charity and with the support of my friends, family and both my workplaces - Jos To Go and the Zetland Pantry - I managed to raise £1,920! This to me shows how supportive people are with mental health nowadays and I cannot thank everyone enough for their generous donations.

“This is a great foundation and needs all the support it can get. I am concerned about our younger generations’ futures, and I do not want anyone to suffer the way I did. I think Scott's family has been amazing in setting this up for our kids, and I will continue to support in any way.”

Jackie Innes, Operations Manager in FVC’s Department of Business and Communities, said: “I am so proud of Kristie, as are all the lecturers and students on the programme. It was one of Kristie’s fellow students that made me aware of this as Kristie is not the kind of person that looks for recognition, but she so deserves it. To reach out to Scott’s family and raise money in memory of Scott and her Dad is a very selfless thing to do. Kristie should be very proud of herself as we all are.”

Kristie hope to also raise awareness of https://www.kooth.com/  which is available for any child 10–18 years old in the Falkirk area. It provides a range of support including self-help materials, a moderate peer community and 1:1 professional support from the Kooth team of accredited counsellors and emotional well-being practitioners.

Kooth has no referrals, thresholds or waiting lists and young people can access the service anonymously by signing on to the Kooth site at home.

For more information visit https://www.thescottmartinfoundation.org/ and https://www.fdamh.org.uk/

Kristie in action 2