Inverness charity Mikeysline catches Hollywood’s attention thanks to Avengers and Jumanji star Karen Gillan

HOLLYWOOD star Karen Gillan has helped secure a $10,000 grant from an American philanthropic organisation to help the work of Highland mental health charity Mikeysline.

Inverness-born Miss Gillan (left), 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 the charity and visited its Hive Project in Academy Street last December.

Mikeysline founder Ron Williamson said: “It came out the blue. 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 promoted Mikeysline’s work to millions of her fans on social media by posting a picture of herself wearing a T-shirt showing the logo of its Hive Project.

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

Mikeysline, which launched in December 2015, provides a textline service on 07779 303 303 for those experiencing thoughts of depression, anxiety, worry or stress.

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