By Andrew Henderson, Inverness Courier, 13 December 2024

Mikeysline marks 9th anniversary

MIKEYSLINE hosted a busy weekend of activities to mark the mental health charity’s ninth year of operations.

Aiming to provide accessible support and break down barriers and stigma around mental health, Mikeysline’s Bee The Change campaign focuses on the power of human connection and changing the dialogue areound mental health.

That was on show in abundance with a range of events that also helped to raise vital funds for the charity.

Kicking off the weekend was a breakfast with Santa and his elves at Balblair’s Newhall Mains, cooked by head chef Alex Henderson and his partner Rebecca.

Following that was the installation of the Mikeysline Tree of Love at the Botanic Gardens in Inverness, where High Life Highland have agreed it will have permanent residency.  This will allow Mikeysline to add messages of love, hope and remembrance to the tree, which was also at Belladrum earlier this year.  Helping to unveil the tree were Mikeysline ambassadors Callum Beattie and Dave Roger, Emily Stokes CEO along with Emma Beavis, Nick Urquhart and his daughter Georgie.  Callum Beattie then gave a performance of his charity single “Something in my eye” with the first ever Mikeysline school choir, made up of Charleston Academy pupils.

“The power of human connection is so important to us as part of our Bee The Change Campaign and music really soothes the soul” campaign manager Allana Stables commented.

Rounding off the weekend was the Clava Mains Market in conjunction with Moray Markets.  Each stall holder provided a donation to Mikeysline, with over 1000 people in attendance to browse through the stalls, listen to live music and seeing Santa, his donkeys and singing elves.

“We are super grateful to everyone that supported and attended, we were absolutely blown away by the efforts of everyone and the grotto was just spectacular” Allana added.  “We hope this can be an annual Chritmas event for us”

For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook and Instagram.