When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, children and young people are among the most vulnerable. There are more than 900,000 children and young people who live in Scotland and by the time they are 16 years old, 3 children in every typical school class will have experienced mental health issues. And nearly half of mental health problems in adulthood began before they were 14 years old. As well as a lack of awareness of the help available, insufficient funding is a big reason why young people can often wait 18 weeks or more to see a mental health professional.* 

S.M.I.L.E Counselling are a Charity who provide FREE counselling and support services to young people and operate on grants and fundraising. Within S.M.I.L.E Counselling:

• Since the first lockdown we've had a 130% increase in referrals with 40% of these coming from areas of multiple deprivation.      1 in 4 of all referrals now indicate suicidal thoughts or ideation
  
• Since March 2020 we've reached over 12,000 students with support materials for coping with lockdown, home schooling and anxiety
  
• In the last 5 years we have delivered group support to over 1500 Young People and provided 1-2-1 counselling to over 500
  

S.M.I.L.E need almost £3000 right now just to provide Counselling services to its current waiting list, a list which is growing by the week. Our target of £1440 will provide enough funding for 80 counselling sessions; directly benefiting some of the young people currently on our waiting list.

As a volunteer Treasurer and Board Member of S.M.I.L.E, myself, my wife Rachael and my two son's Alex and Euan are embarking on a 928 mile (1494 km) virtual cycle challenge using our indoor exercise bike. Between the 4 of us novice cyclists, we start the challenge on the 1st February and aim to have completed the 928 miles (1494 km) by the end of February. 

We are asking for people to make a donation to S.M.I.L.E Counselling via our Just Giving page and any amount you can afford to donate will make a direct difference to a young person's life. Thank you so much for any donation you are able to make.

Please share this far and wide and help us make a difference to the lives of young people and look out for updates on our progress on Facebook.

Just Giving                       https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/smile-ian-angus-felton-cycle

Interactive route map            https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1JUcrLQM09xOPl_2t8j4z9j-o_5-TLIc_&usp=sharing

S.M.I.L.E Counselling                              https://smilecounselling.org.uk/

*Source: SAMH Jacki Gordon Report

A huge thank you to our Corporate Donors:

• Coversure Insurance Services Falkirk
• Growth Digital Marketing
• Ascent Physio and Massage
• Strefford Tulips Solicitors
• WRCC