Urgent plea goes out to save the organisation

A charity providing vital support for those at risk of suicide is facing closure.

Edinburgh-based Joshua Nolan Foundation was founded in 2014 after Laura Nolan’s 22-year-old son Joshua died by suicide.

It provides services enabling those at risk of suicide to access specialist counselling.

Funding problems have left just £5,000 in the bank with £15,000 needed over the next three months to save it from closure.

Nine people currently recieve counselling by the charity.

The charity relies entirely on donations from local public and businesses to carry out its work and has provided lifeline services to around 42 people in Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2015.

Statistics show men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women. There were 680 deaths recorded as probable suicides in 2017 according to official statistics.

Chairman Matthew Middler says it is crucial the funds are found to enable the organisation to continue its vital work.

“The rates of death by suicide in Scotland are higher than cancer, heart disease and road traffic accidents and it is the biggest killer of men under 45,” he told TFN.

“The Joshua Nolan Foundation is important because we believe every suicide is preventable – our services could be the last chance to save the life of someone who is contemplating suicide.”

The urgent plea is part of a wider campaign to raise £150,000 to invest in recruitment and training to support up to 300 people in Edinburgh and the east of Scotland over the next 18 months.
Middler added: “We’re calling on the generous people of Edinburgh to save us and to help keep our doors open to the many people who need our help.

"A donation of £40 could cover one counselling session and £500 would pay for a block of sessions for one of our clients.”

To donate go to mydonate.bt.com/events/savejnf