Lanark lass raises cash after double tragedy

Ninteen-year-old trainee 
primary teacher Jodie pledged in the Gazette earlier this year that she would abseil the mighty Finnieston Crane in Glasgow to raise money for a mental health charity, her mother having taken her own life in January shortly after her dad’s premature death.

She was as good as her word and she, along with 
fellow Lanarkian and pal Katie Urquhart, have now taken the terrifying trip down the city landmark, raising a 
magnificent £2086 for the Scottish Association for 
Mental Health, leading the fight in bringing the nation’s suicide rate down.

This week, Jodie, whose 24-year-old friend 
Katie is Lanark Subway shop 
manager, sent out a message of thanks.

She told the Gazette: “We did our abseil with others from around Scotland raising cash for the charity – and we raised the most out of everyone at the event!

“It was a fantastic 
experience and we would like to say through the Gazette how grateful we are to everyone for their sponsorship.

“It is so greatly appreciated and I’m very touched.

“Clearly the Lanark 
community stick together and support each other. I’m very proud and happy to have raised so much.”

She also lavished praise on her abseiling partner, Katie, herself a veteran of several charity fundraising events in the past.

The effort made by Jodie in the face of the most tragic of family circumstances is all the more admirable when you learn that she organised the effort while not only busily studying to become a teacher but also holding down a job at the Lanark Tesco store to pay for her university course.

And she’s not finished yet.

“I also held a charity sale at Crossford’s Overton Farm Car Boot Sale on Sunday, June 28, with the money raised again going to the Scottish Association for Mental Health.”

The girls pass on special thanks to Lanark business backers Subway, Keystore, The Woodpecker, Benson Hairdressers, Brantano and Fusion Hair.