Line up to support new Inverness crisis service
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Scores of people will form a giant line through the centre of Inverness tonight to show their support for a new crisis service.
The mobile phone text message-based service – Mikeysline – was set up following the deaths of two friends on the same weekend.
It was in early October that Michael "Mikey" Williamson and Martin Shaw, both 23, were found dead in their homes in Drynie Avenue and South Kessock, respectively. It is feared they took their own lives.
Organisers have called on everyone taking part in the moving city centre event to raise their mobile phones high in the air, in remembrance of the pair and others who have died in similar sad circumstances over the years.
Already more than 160 have pledged on social media that they are turning up, and dozens more are expected on the night.
One of the organisers, Jamie-Lyn McBride, urged anyone wanting to take part to arrive at the Eastgate before 6.30pm, with the line due to be formed up by 6.45pm.
It is hoped the giant queue will stretch from the Eastgate Centre all the way along the High Street to the Town House and possibly beyond.
Mikeysline will then go live on December 11. To begin with, over the Christmas period, the line will be manned each weekend from 7pm Friday to 7am Monday.
Jamie-Lyn, who has thanked the Highland News for its support, said: "I never doubted that Mikeysline would become a reality, but it has been stressful at times.
"Everything is set for Thursday night and the police and fire brigade will be there to assist. We are calling for major support, no matter what the weather does."
DJ Michael Morrison, who works at MFR, will set up outside the Bank of Scotland to keep Mikeysline supporters entertained as they express solidarity for the move to offer a friendly contact with the lonely and desperate.
Campaigners have worked out that 125 people will get the line to the Town House, 200 to Johnny Foxes, and 275 will see the line crossing Ness Bridge.
The sad deaths of Michael and Martin sparked a huge outpouring of grief among their families and their large group of friends.
The shock double blow led to an unprecedented vigil being held on Castle Hill in the city centre when scores of lanterns were released into the night sky in memory of the young men.
Now it is hoped a legacy for good will come from the deaths of "Mikey", who was a barman at Weatherspoons in Church Street, and Martin, better known as "Porky", who worked in the construction industry.
The mobile phone text message-based service – Mikeysline – was set up following the deaths of two friends on the same weekend.
It was in early October that Michael "Mikey" Williamson and Martin Shaw, both 23, were found dead in their homes in Drynie Avenue and South Kessock, respectively. It is feared they took their own lives.
Organisers have called on everyone taking part in the moving city centre event to raise their mobile phones high in the air, in remembrance of the pair and others who have died in similar sad circumstances over the years.
Already more than 160 have pledged on social media that they are turning up, and dozens more are expected on the night.
One of the organisers, Jamie-Lyn McBride, urged anyone wanting to take part to arrive at the Eastgate before 6.30pm, with the line due to be formed up by 6.45pm.
It is hoped the giant queue will stretch from the Eastgate Centre all the way along the High Street to the Town House and possibly beyond.
Mikeysline will then go live on December 11. To begin with, over the Christmas period, the line will be manned each weekend from 7pm Friday to 7am Monday.
Jamie-Lyn, who has thanked the Highland News for its support, said: "I never doubted that Mikeysline would become a reality, but it has been stressful at times.
"Everything is set for Thursday night and the police and fire brigade will be there to assist. We are calling for major support, no matter what the weather does."
DJ Michael Morrison, who works at MFR, will set up outside the Bank of Scotland to keep Mikeysline supporters entertained as they express solidarity for the move to offer a friendly contact with the lonely and desperate.
Campaigners have worked out that 125 people will get the line to the Town House, 200 to Johnny Foxes, and 275 will see the line crossing Ness Bridge.
The sad deaths of Michael and Martin sparked a huge outpouring of grief among their families and their large group of friends.
The shock double blow led to an unprecedented vigil being held on Castle Hill in the city centre when scores of lanterns were released into the night sky in memory of the young men.
Now it is hoped a legacy for good will come from the deaths of "Mikey", who was a barman at Weatherspoons in Church Street, and Martin, better known as "Porky", who worked in the construction industry.
Scores of people will form a giant line through the centre of Inverness tonight to show their support for a new crisis service.
