Tributes pour in after inspirational founder of Highland mental health charity Mikeysline dies aged 74
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By his own admission, Mikeysline founder Ron Williamson had a "bull-in-a-china-shop, speaking-my-mind" approach.
It was that drive and determination and sense of compassion which led to the setting up of the pioneering Highland mental health charity eight years ago after the tragic death of his nephew.
As tributes pour in following his death aged 74 after a long illness, many have described Ron's legacy in terms of "amazing" or "incredible" and reflected on how Mikeysline has made a massive difference to so many people's lives, shining a light on the issue of suicide.
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Ron felt compelled to set up the charity after his nephew Michael "Mikey" Williamson died aged just 23 at his Inverness home two days after his friend, Martin Shaw, had also been found dead.
During an interview for the Inverness Courier four years ago, he recalled the sense of shock and bewilderment which was shared by other young people attending his nephew's funeral.
"What was very evident was that they felt there was no-one to talk to," he said at the time.
"They thought that no-one would understand what they were going through."
He was particularly concerned by a culture among young men in Scotland for not discussing things or expressing their feelings.
And so, Mikeysline was born in December 2015 to provide a text-for-help hotline service for people experiencing thoughts of depression, anxiety, worry or stress.
The fledging charity received a few tentative texts but as word started to spread, particularly via social media, numbers grew.
Ron acknowledged his "bull-in-a-china-shop" was not always welcome among other voluntary organisations and professionals and there had even been suspicion and even hostility but he felt ultimately they were there to save lives.
He felt Mikeysline was set apart by its approach of having volunteers with experience of mental health problems who had survived and gone on to successful working lives and loving families, listening to and guiding service users going through the same crises.
Mikeysline had the first crisis textline in the country, the first crisis self-help app in Scotland and the first out-of-hours crisis drop-in centre in the Highlands – The Hive Project in Academy Street, Inverness.
It gained support from people across the Highlands as well as endorsement from Inverness-born Hollywood star Karen Gillan.
Ron's own commitment meant a regular 600-mile drive from Southampton until he handed over the reins four years ago although he kept up-to-date with developments as it continued to grow and flourish and welcomed its expansion of work into schools and local businesses.
Following the news of his death at his home, many have paid heartfelt tribute.
Nicola McAlley said: "Ron was a powerhouse whose passion has made a massive impact on so many people's lives. "His work continues to make an incredible contribution to an issue that had largely gone undiscussed before he shone a light on it."
Charlotte MacLeod recalled working with him at the very beginning of Mikeysine when all they had were some great ideas and a mobile phone.
"Oh boy, did we had some head on battles with our differing opinions which made for interesting times but at the heart of it all was a wonderful amazing man with a passion to do whatever he could to save an other family from going through the loss and grief that they and others had," she said.
Another posted: "I met Ron in the early days of setting up the charity and his enthusiasm and conviction it would happen was obvious to anyone who met him. A shining example for others to learn from and a brilliant legacy left behind."
Catherine Gilchrist said he brought a sense that life was worth something and helped so many improve their lives with his enthusiasm and passion.
"You impacted on so many lives and have left the most amazing legacy for the Highlands." she posted. "Thank you."
Jade Dillon reflected: "He is an inspiration and has left behind a legacy that will continue changing many lives for the better. He truly was a hero and will never be forgotten."
