Former X Factor star Chico Slimani stunned Lanarkshire-based charity Families Against Murder and Suicide (FAMS) with a surprise donation recently.
The ‘It’s Chico Time’ singer was in Hamilton for a promotional event last month when FAMS volunteer Michelle Coyle spotted the performer in the town centre.
Michelle, who had just finished helping out at the annual FAMS McGilvray Family Football Tournament, approached Chico for a fun selfie.
Not only did the singer, who rose to prominence in the UK after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of the talent show, happily agree to a photo but he was keen to know more information about FAMS.
Hamilton woman Ann Marie Cocozza, co-founder of FAMS explained: “After listening to Michelle about the work FAMS do, Chico suddenly announced that he was going to donate £500 to the charity.
“And true to his word, sure enough a week later the £500 arrived.
“We cannot thank Chico and indeed Michelle enough for this.
“Whatsmore, that evening FAMS won two awards at The Scottish Champion’s event so it was a good day all round.”
The charity colleced two accolades at the presentation, the Community Project of the Year and the Scotland’s Champion award.
The event was held in the Double Tree by Hilton in Glasgow and was attended by actor David Hayman, singer John Newman and TV presenter Jackie Bird.
Anne Marie helped set up the charity almost six years ago and continuously puts the effort in to help those who are struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one.
The group supports a whole range of people, and are generally the first responders to those affected by murder and suicide.
The charity has grown from just three volunteers to over 51 in the short time they have been together.
They have also recently opened up their first premises in Motherwell, Paul Gerard’s Lighthouse, which is named after Anne Marie’s nephew who was murdered 15 years ago.
Going forward the charity want to keep up with the rising rates of suicide and mental health issues and be the place people can turn to when they need to talk.
Their befriending service offers victims someone to talk to, so that they can see light at the end of the tunnel.
FAMS offer a helpline which is open 9am-8pm daily and can be contacted on 07736 326 062 as well as a landline which is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and can be found on 01698 717 424.
You can also contact FAMS through their email which is Info@fams.chat.
