Mental health charity Men United marks future Turriff expansion and £6448 NFU Mutual donation
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A LIFESAVING charity which has saved 31 lives is expanding to Turriff after receiving a "massive boost".
Men United, which has provided mental health and suicide prevention support 645 times in the Peterhead area since 2019, has been awarded nearly £6500 from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.
Founder Sandy Garvock said his inspiration for the group came in the wake of three tragedies which shook Peterhead.
"Three young people in Peterhead committed suicide," Sandy said.
"And I asked myself: 'Why is nobody doing anything?'
"There was nowhere to go and no-one to talk to.
"And I knew that because I, myself, had suffered in the past."
Sandy, who is also lifeboat chaplain and a voluntary crew member at RNLI Peterhead, said the charity's work had saved dozens of lives.
He said: "We have prevented 31 suicides and have even physically intervened.
"It can be challenging sometimes.
"But anything at all can make that difference, even just a phone call."
Coming from a farming background himself, Sandy was at the Turriff Show this weekend to represent Men United's work, sharing a stall with Suicide Prevention North East.
Visiting the NFU Scotland (NFUS) tent with wife Janice Garvock, Sandy met NFU Mutual senior agent Stephen Hepburn, NFUS north east manager Lorna Patterson and NFUS Vice-Chairman Andrew Connon, among others.
Mr Hepburn said: "Supporting causes like this is fundamental for us.
"Hearing how Sandy is not only supporting people but helping them to manage on their own is incredible."
The funding is "absolutely huge" for Men United, Sandy said, and means they can continue without having to disappoint the people who benefit.
"It is a massive boost for us to secure this – helping us keep doing everything we do for free," he said.
"We don't charge anyone for anything.
"And we can't turn round to the people we support and say: 'We aren't giving you aid any more.'
"So this is massive, absolutely huge.
"It allows us to continue, grow and start coming into Turriff."
Janice, who said she plays a "behind the scenes" role, was asked if she felt pride at her husband's lifesaving contribution to the community.
"Oh aye, definitely," she said.
"I am definitely proud."
