#KeepTalkingForJordan - Event Raises £1,500

Date: Thursday 2 March

Press Release March 2023

A commemorative event held in Blairgowrie in memory of teenager Jordan Hart has raised more than £1500 for a mental health and wellbeing outreach hub in the east Perthshire town.

Former Blairgowrie High School pupil Jordan died by suicide in November 2020, just days before his 17th birthday, and since then his family has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of talking – and listening – to others.

The ‘#Keep Talking for Jordan’ event, held on Jordan’s birthday, was the second to be organised by his sister Bethany (21) in memory of her younger brother.

Held in The Gig, it featured a raffle, a silent auction, stalls and games – including Jordan’s favourite hook-a-duck – as well as a remembrance board where people were able to write messages for loved ones they have lost.

Presenting a cheque for £1502.12 to Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT), which is coordinating efforts to establish the mental health and wellbeing hub in the town through its community engagement work, Bethany thanked everyone for their ongoing support.

She said: “Thank you to all the stall holders, The Gig, everyone who donated the fantastic raffle prizes and great experiences for the silent auction, and everyone who came along on the day.

“Huge thanks also to all our friends and family who have supported us over the last two and a half years since Jordan’s passing.

“Everyone’s time and donations will help provide much-needed mental health support in our town, so that people don’t have to travel to Perth or Dundee to access the support they need in times of crisis.”

Fundraising for the mental health and wellbeing hub in Blairgowrie continues, with the third annual 24-hour Wellmeadow Walkathon in the town – hosted by BRDT to raise money for Jordan’s Challenge – set to take place over the weekend of Saturday, August 5th and Sunday, August 6th, 2023 from 4pm to 4pm.

Previous years have seen nearly 200 people from almost 50 groups, organisations and businesses take it in turns to walk around the town centre focal point for a one-hour slot, raising funds and awareness of the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Jordan’s Challenge was set up in 2021 by Jordan’s mum Susan Hart, who walked or cycled five kilometres every day for six months.

Since then, thanks to the support of the local community in Blairgowrie and Rattray and beyond – the family has raised nearly £20,000 for a series of 57 ‘happy to chat – happy to listen’ benches in and around the town - the last six of which are due to be installed this year – which provide a space where people can come together and talk, helping to reduce social isolation, and for the mental health and wellbeing hub.

Susan said: “As I always say, Jordan will forever be in our hearts, thoughts and actions.

“As part of this, we want to be able to provide services in a local, safe environment to support the community, and ensure that people don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting to Perth or Dundee if they are in crisis.

“Mental health should be viewed in the same way the same as physical health and we hope that by talking about suicide and mental health it will help reduce the stigma around it and hopefully help other people who may be struggling.

“Everything we are doing – Bethany’s Keep Talking for Jordan event, the Walkathon, the outreach hub and the bench trail - is all about people coming together to talk and to listen, and to raise awareness that it’s okay not to be okay.”

Sam Stewart, community engagement coordinator with BRDT, added: “BRDT supports community groups, individuals, and volunteers to deliver projects to enhance the town for the benefit of all and the mental health and wellbeing hub is a fantastic example of that in action, bringing vital services into the town.

“We know that services want to provide outreach in towns like Blairgowrie and Rattray but often can’t afford to hire the space. Donations such as this from Bethany helps us to support those services by providing a space for them.

“It’s an amazing tribute to Jordan.”

ENDS For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on 07514 343 042 or clare@craicncommunications.scot

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