A Fallin family are stepping up for a ‘stomp’ fundraiser at Forthbank stadium in aid of a mental health charity.
The Stomp for SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)stair climbing challenge is usually held annually at Murrayfield, but this year has become a virtual event where participants choose their own location.
Thirty-nine-year-old Lianne Martin, aunt Annie Mills (53) and Lianne’s nine-year-old daughter Kaelyn McGookin have chosen the Binos’ ground for their challenge next month.
They will also be accompanied by Lianne’s cousin Susan Park (57) from Glasgow.
They have called themselves ‘Stomp It Out’ and have given themselves the fundraising target of £500.
Lianne, now in her third year of taking part in the stomp, is aiming for 7500 stairs; Fallin Primary pupil Kaelyn, in her second year, 4200 stairs, and Annie, in her second year, 7500 stairs.
Homemaker Lianne said this week: “Mental health has always been important for me having battled with my own for over 25 years.
“I am now more settled and in control of how I deal with my mental health which I never thought would happen.
“I have literally been to the darkest places and therefore know the importance for people having somewhere to turn and be able to even just talk.
“It can be the difference between life and death. I have also had very close family and friends suffer badly too.
“The NHS are fantastic, however they are under so much pressure with less people going into mental health care and a severe lack of funding.
“This is why the Scottish Association for Mental Health needs people fundraising. This is Scotland’s mental health charity and I for one, need them to survive for the generations coming up who will need this service.”
Lianne expressed her gratitude to Forthbank stadium for letting them carry out the challenge there on Sunday August 22.
She added: “It’s up to fundraisers to find their own stairs, so with restrictions lifting and easing, I contacted Forthbank as the three adults want to do this in one go.
“As there are only four of us, all family, Forthbank have kindly authorised us to use their stadium.
“Kaelyn however will start her stairs from the Sunday before and complete any steps left over at Forthbank. We are very appreciative that they are allowing us to do this.”
She added: “Our group fundraising target is £500 although we would just like to raise as much as possible. Every penny counts.”
To donate go to: https://stomp.samh.org.uk/teams/stomp-it-
out
