A heartbroken dad believes the sudden death of his son could be the key to making Wishaw a better place for future generations.
William Blackwood, 43, says too many young people are taking their own lives and something has to be done to tackle the issue.
His son Graham Fraser, 27, was found dead in woodland near Ryde Road in Wishaw on June 30.
Graham, was dad to 18-month-old daughter Hannah Lucy, partner to Natalie, 28, and brother to Lucy, 18.
He was a popular figure in the town and in tributes after his death was described as a “gem of a guy”.
William said: “Graham had a lot of people that loved him and he can be the glue that can bring this community back together.
“He lit everybody’s life up. When he was out with his pals he would talk to everyone, even strangers, and make them feel welcome.
“He would have a whip round for the guys busking and always had a smile on his face.
“That is the hardest part for us.”
While William and Graham’s mum Angela, 50, struggle to come to terms with their loss they have decided to set up a not-for-profit organisation.
“I want Graham to have a legacy that his daughter can be proud of”, William revealed.
“Suicide is an illness. It’s ridiculous and something has to be done about it. We need to stand as a community.
“It needs to be tackled from as early as primary schools and high schools.
“I need to get into my head why this has happened — everything comes back to why?
“That’s the reason we decided on ‘Why? — The Graham Fraser Foundation’.
“I want to help people that are grieving, or those feeling suicidal. We can help them, take them to different places, or just be there for them.
“I need to do something because right now I’m empty, I’ve got nothing, just emptiness.”
We revealed in last week’s paper that the family came up with the idea of providing somewhere to turn to for anyone struggling with their own issues.
William’s hope is that specially-made rainbow-coloured benches will act as a first port of call for help.
The idea is that others will be encouraged to sit down and lend an ear to anyone spotted sitting alone on a Graham’s bench.
He intends to place them around the community and offer them to businesses to put in their workplaces.
“I want people to be able to sit on them and be able to talk to someone”, William admitted.
“I want to offer a bit of hope, that’s what I want. That something good can come out of this. It’s all I have left of my son.
“I want his daughter to grow up and be proud of him.
“We’re not ashamed of the way it happened. He’s my son and it’s an illness that is going about.
“I want these benches everywhere and not just for Graham, for everybody.”
William has also set up two Freephone numbers that anyone in need of someone to talk to can call: 0800 688 9691 or 0800 059 9258.
