A Renfrewshire firefighter who was helped to overcome a major mental health problem by a charity is to set out on an epic cycle fundraiser to support others facing similar issues.
David Gartland – who works out of the Paisley fire station – found himself in a dark place during the Covid-19 pandemic after a relationship break-up.
With recourse to activities that could support his wellbeing curtailed because of lockdown, David was in dire straits.
“I’d been through a break-up and my mental health took a major dip,” he said. “It was happening right through covid so all the things I’d normally do to clear my head like camping and walking were all put on hold.
“I was in the house drinking heavily – binge drinking really – and that then led to gambling. It just snowballed.”
However, David’s colleagues were on hand to point him in the direction of help.
“My watch commander at the time told me about the Reset Programme at Harcombe House, run by The Fire Fighters Charity, and by then I’d finally recognised I needed help, so I got in touch about it.”
The charity helped David turn his situation around and things are looking brighter again for the life-saver.
He added: “It was absolutely brilliant. I got the chance to meet others there who were all sharing their stories and to be honest it put mine into perspective, hearing what other people had been through. It started that process of recovery for me.”
David is to be joined by 14 colleagues in cycling 132 miles in a single day to raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity and spread awareness of its vital support.
The team, all of whom work for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, will start at Paisley fire station – where most of them are based – and end at Jubilee House in Penrith, Cumbria, one of the charity’s three centres on Friday.
The Fire Fighters Charity supports the health and wellbeing of serving and retired fire and rescue service personnel, their dependants and other eligible members of the UK fire services community, throughout their lives, helping them to live happier and healthier.
Lyndsay Campbell, community fundraiser at The Fire Fighters Charity, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the whole team for taking part in this fantastic challenge.
“Seeing how personal it is to them makes it really special, and the funds raised will make a huge difference to many people’s lives. Thank you and good luck to all of you!”
The team members have managed to gain huge community support before the cycle, with eight local businesses all donating £100 each.
They include: Push PT, UAV360, EVT, Hottub.scot, BCE ltd, Beyard services, BBB Boxing and Brickland Builders, whose sponsorship paid for the cycle tops to be made. AK Rental also kindly supplied a support vehicle free of charge for the event.
You can support the team’s fundraiser at justgiving.com/fundraising/paisley-2penrith
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