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ICYMI: Actress Karen Gillan – star of Avengers and Jumanji – helps secure grant for Inverness charity Mikeysline


By Val Sweeney

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Karen Gillan visiting The Hive/Mikeysline chats with Stephen Reid.
Karen Gillan visiting The Hive/Mikeysline chats with Stephen Reid.

HOLLYWOOD star Karen Gillan has helped to secure a $10,000 (£7850) grant from a US philanthropic organisation to help the work of the Mikeysline mental health charity.

The Inverness-born actress who stars in the newly released US superhero film Avengers: Endgame, successfully bid for the donation from the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF).

She is an ambassador for Mikeysline which works to prevent suicide and raise awareness of the issues and visited its Hive Project in Academy Street, Inverness in December.

The charity’s founder, Ron Williamson, had no idea she had put it forward for a donation from the EIF, a charitable organisation founded by Hollywood legends including Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney.

“It came out the blue,” he said. “We had no idea about it until the EIF contacted us. That was the first we heard. The people of the Highlands and Islands have taken Mikeysline to their hearts and found worth in what we’re trying to achieve.

“This grant from Hollywood through Karen shows that, no matter where a Highlander travels in the world, their heart remains in the Highlands.”

Earlier this year, Miss Gillan also promoted the charity’s work to millions of her fans on social media by posting a picture of herself wearing a T-shirt showing the logo of the charity’s Hive Project.

“There would be no shame in going to see a professional if someone was suffering from an infection of the lung, liver etc – so why is there shame in seeing someone about an infection of the mind?” she asked at the same time.

It followed her directorial debut film, The Party’s Just Beginning, which was set in the Highlands and explored the issue of suicide.

The EIF donation, which is worth £7352, will be used to expand Mikeysline’s outreach programme which is raising awareness of mental health issues in schools, colleges and businesses across the Highlands.

Mikeysline, which began in December 2015, provides a textline service on 07779 303 303 giving support to those experiencing thoughts of depression, anxiety, worry or stress.


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