The family of a tragic Alexandria teenager have been left “blown away” after a charity night to mark his 21st birthday raised more than £17,500.
Lee Stuart’s loved ones organised the event to honour the 17-year-old’s memory while raising money for 24 hour suicide prevention and crisis charity Chris’ House.
Over 240 people came together on Friday night at Grosvenor Hotel, more than three years after Lee took his own life.
The evening, which sold out in just three days, saw fundraisers, including an auction and raffle, while videos of Lee were played and loved ones shared 21 touching memories of him.
Aunt Lynne McKay said yesterday (Monday): “It was a fantastic night. It went completely as planned. Everyone had the most amazing time in memory of Lee.
“The next day we were packing up the venue and were saying we had raised a lot of money and that it must be around £10,000.
“When we started counting it kept going up and up and we couldn’t believe it when we got to £17,500, and there’s still people donating.
“We are totally blown away and can’t believe it.”
Lynne organised the night alongside Lee’s mum Lizzi Stuart, who has been tirelessly campaigning to raise awareness of suicide, as well as for more mental health education in schools.
Lynne previously said: “It still feels very raw. Suicide is just something very complex and difficult to get your head around because you always have the whys and the ifs. They are always there.
“He was such a beautiful boy. His loss has been massive. We wonder what he would be doing now. My sister has to think about this all the time, whether he would have got married and had kids one day, what kind of life we would have enjoyed with him.”
She told how the evening was a poignant celebration of his life, explaining: “It was a very emotional night.
“We had a part in it called 21 Memories.
“We had a big screen where we showed videos of Lee from when he was a baby right up to when he was 17 and friends and family shared 21 memories of him.
“That really made the night. Afterwards when we were speaking to people they were saying that was just outstanding.
“There were tears but there were some laughs too. There were some lovely memories.
“It was perfect.”
The night was hosted by Renton River City actress Gayle Telfer Stevens and Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohil, with entertainment by local singer Alannah Wright, DJ George Bowie, Zander Nation and saxophonist Gordon Bowie. A raffle and auction also took place, with prizes including a painting by renowned Alexandria artist Ross Muir, Robbie Williams tickets, Jet2 flights, a champagne loch cruise and signed shirts and stadium tours donated by Rangers and Celtic.
Lynne continued: “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us. To see everyone’s faces was just magnificent.
“We can’t thank everyone enough for their support and free time. It meant all the money donated will go to charity.
“It was a lot of work for both of us organising it but it was all worth it for an amazing night.”
Lizzi and Lynne’s cousin James White supported the fundraising with a 21-mile walk from Lee’s birth place at Glasgow Royal Infirmary to his resting place at the Vale of Leven Cemetery on October 1.
Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser can visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lynne-mckay9
Anyone affected by the issues raised in this article can call the Samaritans for confidential support. Trained advisors are available to be contacted for free 365 days a year on 116 123.
