A charity lunch to raise money for a mental health charity in memory of a young father from Dundee will be held this weekend.
Lee Welsh, 27, was found dead at his Peddie Street home in the city’s West End last August.
After his death Lee’s father Phil said his son had battled mental health issues for nine years, which led to him campaigning for better mental health services.
A host of fundraisers and campaigns have been launched since the 27-year-old father of one’s death – including a football match organised by childhood friend Steve Martin, 27.
Now a soup and pudding lunch will be held at Dundee West Church Hall in Perth Road on Saturday from 11.30am-1pm.
The event, organised by Lee’s mum Lesley with the support of Friends of Magdalen Green, will be raising money for Dundee and Angus Mental Health.
Entry costs £5 and includes tea, coffee, biscuits, a raffle and a cake stall.
My partner Lesley supported by The Friends of Magdalen green is hosting a soup and pudding lunch.
All money raised from this and the charity football match Lee’s lifelong pal Steve Martin is organising will be donated to DAMH Dundee Association for Mental Health.
We would welcome any donations of raffle prizes or if you can bake, this excludes me, home made cake and candy would be very welcome.
Lee Welsh, 27, was found dead at his Peddie Street home in the city’s West End last August.
At the time, his dad, Phil, said that Lee, whose daughter, Poppy, was then aged six, had battled mental health issues for the last nine years.
Since then, Phil has gone on to raise awareness of mental health issues among young people in Dundee.
Now, Lee’s childhood friend, Steve Martin, 27, has organised the football match in memory of his mate and to raise cash for the Dundee Association for Mental Health (DAMH).
Steve said: “Lee and I grew up together and played football for many years with Fairmuir Boys.
“I decided I wanted to do something in memory of Lee and raise money for DAMH at the same time.
“Because of our shared past playing football together, I decided a charity match would be appropriate.
“I’m getting together about 30 of Lee’s mates and we will form two teams to play the match.
“I really hope this proves to be a success, because I would like it to become an annual event.
“I am having a trophy made for the winners and there will also be a man of the match award.”
Phil said he was very grateful to Steve for his efforts.
He said: “Steve’s dad and I are best mates and the boys basically grew up together.
“They also played football together, and when Steve said he wanted to hold a charity match, I was delighted.
“The match will be in memory of Lee and will also raise money for DAMH. It should be a great event and I would be really happy if it could become an annual event.”
The game will be held at North End Park on June 9 at 2pm.
Steve said: “I hope loads of people go along and make this a fantastic success in memory of Lee.”
After his son’s death, Phil said that although Lee had talked about his mental health issues, he didn’t believe enough had been done to help him.
Phil has now vowed to fight for better support for young people suffering similar problems.
He said: “I want to make sure that enough help and support becomes available for other young people and their families.
“You get told that young men don’t talk about their mental health issues, but Lee did.
“He was going to the doctor and was asking for help, but wasn’t getting it. That needs to change.
“No one in particular was to blame. The resources were just not there to help young people like Lee.
“That needs to change and I want to do all I can to make that happen.”
Phil has set up Not In Vain For Lee in a bid to ensure that his son didn’t die in vain.
Lee’s lifelong friend Steven Martin is organising a charity football match on June 9th at North End football ground. All money raised will be donated to DAMH, Dundee Association for Mental Health.
Please come along and support this event, which will be a brilliant day out for the family.