In June 2024 Neil Stewart, 60, a farmer from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, and a friend to many, took his own life.

In June 2025, a year later, a group of almost 20 friends and family will attempt to walk the Kintyre Way, a 100 mile hike that winds its way through the Kintyre peninsula from Tarbert to Macrahanish in aid of RSABI.

It is planned to walk the distance over 5½ days, from 2nd to 7th June 2025. We will base ourselves at or near Carradale and will be ferried to and from the walk daily. Anyone who knew Neil who wishes to join the group for any of the stages or celebration at the end of the walk is very welcome to join, although they will have to make their own arrangements for accommodation and transport.

Kintyre was special to Neil as it is where his mother came from. He spent many childhood holidays there and continued to do so later with his own family, his wife Caroline and their three children Victoria, Emily and Charlie.

Amongst many things, Neil loved cricket and the name of the walk refers to this, to the 100 miles attempted and the cause for which we hope to raise money, to help any ONE person in the future whose life could be saved from suicide by the work being done by the charity RSABI.

RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.

There are many other organisations which can offer help, support and advice. If you have a question about mental health, you can contact the SAMH Information Service, open Monday to Friday, on 0344 800 0550 or visit its website at www.samh.org.uk. If life is hard right now, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org for more ways to speak to a Samaritan.

NHS Breathing Space phone service is available by calling 0800 838587. If you or someone else is in danger call 999 or go to A&E; if you need urgent help for your mental health call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk to get immediate advice on mental health symptoms.