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Local couple raising money for mental health charities after son's death


By Jonathan Clark

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A LOCAL couple are looking to make something positive out of a tragedy by raising money for mental health charities after the death of their son.

Martin Scott, who lived in Nairn, took his own life in September at the age of 32, just months after moving into a new flat, buying a new car and starting a new job.

Martin Scott.
Martin Scott.

Parents Mal and Margaret Scott, who stay in Lethen between Forres and Nairn, found out when the police chapped at the door. It's something they hope no family has to experience again.

"The knock at the door with the policeman standing there, nobody should go through that," Mal said. "Parents shouldn't have to arrange their child's funeral.

"These are the kind of things that don't leave you. They are there every day.

"We are trying to get ourselves through this and help others at the same time.

"We know Martin wouldn't want us to be sad, and we want something positive to come from this – even if we can help just one person."

Martin was an outgoing man with many friends and many hobbies – ranging from football and his love of Forres Mechanics to battle reenactment and the Sealed Knot. He was also a third-degree blackbelt in taekwondo.

Forres Mechanics were one of Martin's greatest passions. He can be seen here (bottom right) celebrating the Cans' Highland League Cup win in 2001.
Forres Mechanics were one of Martin's greatest passions. He can be seen here (bottom right) celebrating the Cans' Highland League Cup win in 2001.
Martin Scott loved taking part in battle reenactments.
Martin Scott loved taking part in battle reenactments.
Martin Scott with the colours of the Covenantors at the Kings and Clansmen event at Fort George.....Picture: Gary Anthony
Martin Scott with the colours of the Covenantors at the Kings and Clansmen event at Fort George.....Picture: Gary Anthony

His family had no reason to believe he was struggling.

Mal recounted his final memory of his son, and remembers thinking it was the happiest he had seen him in years.

He said: "Martin always seemed to be very happy. We had no reason to suspect there was anything wrong. He never spoke about how he felt.

"Last year, a family friend gave us some really old muskets that Martin was helping renovate. He was really knowledgeable about them so he really happy about that.

"We hadn't seen him that happy for a long time, and not because he was often unhappy, he was just particularly happy.

"That was two days before he took his own life.

"We don't know what his reasons were. He had no debts, no health problems. But things you might think are not a worry quite possibly are.

"My advice is to keep your family close, speak to them every day, communicate and make sure they feel loved."

Since Martin's death, Mal and Margaret, along with daughter Helen (35) and grandson Mikey (6), have raised more than £5000 for mental health charities.

The money is being split between three causes – Inverness-based Mikey's Line, national charity SAMH and Mental Mechanics, a football club set up after Forres man Charlie Tull took his own life in 2019.

"We wanted to raise £500, we thought that would be a good target to aim for," Mal said. "But we have raised £4500 for the three charities.

"It really hit us when we read about Mental Mechanics and what they are trying to do.

"One of their friends was a Mechanics supporter like Martin and died. Now they are raising awareness and money for mental health issues. We really like what they are doing.

"It's no doubt been difficult for them during lockdown but they are still promoting their cause.

"We just hope we can help them, even if we just pays referee fees, match costs. If it helps them it helps others."

Fin Anderson, co-founder of Mental Mechanics, said the club was "honoured" to receive the donation.

He said: "The donation is going to be a great help and will go towards costs, insurance. Some of the money will also go towards our yearly charitable donation – which will be Edinburgh-based Sport and Mind this year.

"It's a massive amount of money and we are honoured that the family saw fit to donate it to us."

Mental Mechanics only managed to play two games of their league season before Covid-19 hit, but the football club which encourages players to talk openly about their feelings have still been in action, with plenty of Zoom meetings – including a talk from Scotland rugby legend Scott Hastings.

You can donate to Mental Mechanics at www.mentalmechanicsfc.co.uk.

Martin's sister, Helen, is currently doing a sponsored walk, along with the couple's grandson Mikey. You can donate to her cause at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-sirrell.

In full uniform on a train.
In full uniform on a train.
Martin Scott (right) scraps it out 1640's style during a fighting display from members of historical reenactment group Erskine's Regiment. Picture: Gair Fraser
Martin Scott (right) scraps it out 1640's style during a fighting display from members of historical reenactment group Erskine's Regiment. Picture: Gair Fraser


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