Bookmakers’ fund donates cash to family aid group

A BOOKMAKING firm has dipped into its charity fund to assist an Inverness organisation helping families affected by suicide.
Grahame Harrison, manager of Ladbroke's LochalshRoad branch, presented the cheque to the Inverness-based Suicide Awareness Group on Friday.
The organisation opened an office in Albyn House, Union Street, in September and has been seeking assistance from various agencies and from the general public in getting back on its feet after a difficult year.
"SAG has continued to be there for families affected by suicide spokeswoman Joyce MacRae said. "We're very grateful to Ladbrokes. We've never been away and this sends a clear message that SAG is back, fighting fit, and we hope to be there offering advice and support for many years to come.
"Mrs MacRae revealed that SAG has pledges of support from NHS Highland and from members of The Highlanders at Cameron Barracks who are going to pose for a 2006 calendar to raise further funds,
"We now need ongoing help to continue to run our office where we can offer support in a confidential environment for families," Mrs MacRae said. "In the long term we hope to employ someone a few hours a week to help out with administration in the office to enable us to reach out to more people."Mr Harrison said his company was delighted to support the charity whose chairman John Burnside lost a son to suicide.
"John is a customers of ours and we were glad to help out, "Mr Harrison said. "Ladbroke's staff do fund-raising around the UK and all the money goes into a big charity pot. Local groups can make a bid for the cash and we were delighted to get some money for SAG which is to be commended for the work it is doing.