Poignant launch planned for new crisis line in Inverness
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THE crisis text line being set up following the deaths of two Inverness friends will be launched early next month with a moving gesture of support.
An appeal has gone out for family, friends and supporters of the new Mikeysline to gather at 6pm on December 3 to form a giant queue stretching from the Eastgate Centre, all the way along the High Street, to the Town House and possibly further.
Organisers have called on everyone taking part to raise their mobile phones high in the air, showing support and remembrance for Michael "Mikey" Williamson and Martin Shaw, both 23, and all others who died in sad circumstances over the years.
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.
One of the organisers Jamie-Lyn McBride, who has thanked the Highland News for its support, said: "It is party time for many, lonely time for a few.
"We are calling for major support on Thursday, December 3, no matter what the weather does.
"We now have official permission from the police and Highland Council to hold the launch – I think it’ll be the biggest line-up the police have had!
"We also have permission for a band or live music outside the Bank of Scotland in Eastgate."
Jamie-Lyn added that supporter Darryl Grant paced out the distance between Eastgate and end of High Street and has worked out that means 125 people will get the line to the Town House, 200 people will get it to Johnny Foxes, and 275 people will see the line of support crossing the Ness Bridge.
Jamie-Lyn said: "Can you imagine the message of support and pure love a line that size would send out to people who think they’re alone, sad, unloved or nowhere to turn.
"Please spread the word. Rain, hail, or cold, turn up at 6pm on December 3."
It is less than Michael and Martin were found dead in their homes in Drynie Avenue and South Kessock, respectively. It is feared they took their own lives.
Their sad deaths sparked a huge outpouring of grief among their family and large group of friends and 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.
