Elgin Town Hall gig raises £2200 for Mikeysline
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A gig where several Moray bands came together at Elgin Town Hall last month has succeeded in raising £2200 for the mental health charity Mikeysline.
Gary Moyes, The Danny Mortimer Band, The Fragz, and MacTa, along with special guests The Zebecks, all played for free.
However the centrepiece of the evening was the first live performance of a song called 'The Conversation: I Am Me'.
Penned specially for the charity, its lyrics deal with the stigma still surrounding mental health amongst men.
Its writer, Alan 'AJ' Jamieson was also a leading light in organising the gig at the town hall on January 21.
He said: "We managed to get all this done on a shoestring budget – and that's all down to goodwill, multi-tasking and the talents within this team. If there's a will and a passion, there's a way."
The line-up for the live version featured AJ, Ali Robertson, Gary Moyes and Danny Mortimer on vocals.
Danny also played the guitar along with Tom Morris.
Mark Aldridge played bass, Angus Lawson the keyboards and Blaire McKenzie the drums.
Katie Melville, fundraising manager for Mikeysline, said: "We're so pleased to have the support of AJ and his band of Moray men.
"They did a beautiful job putting together the song and promoting it with a fantastic show.
"As well as raising £2200, the guys have also raised much-needed awareness in the local community about men's mental health.
"Men account for around 75% of all completed suicides each year.
"Meanwhile, Moray and the Highlands have amongst the worst suicide rates in the UK,
"It's so important that men feel comfortable opening up about how they are feeling and seeking help.
"Stigma is often a huge barrier, so this campaign has been hugely welcome.
Katie added:"Mikeysline works to support anyone struggling with depression, isolation, self-harm, addiction or any other mental health issue.
"We feel that in the cost of living crisis we're needed more than ever.
"We're so grateful for the support and look forward to working with the whole group again soon.”
The organisers want to offer a spacial thank-you to Ali, Angus, Blaire, Danny, Gary, Mark, Tom and their respective bands.
Appreciation also go out to Lesley Jamieson, Mark Aldridge and Blaire McKenzie for their efforts behind the scenes to promote the gig, as well as Jason Leitch for the video, and Phil Wiles at Pb audio/pinball production services for the sound.
Thanks too to Donnie Squair and the team of volunteers at Elgin Town Hall, as well as everyone who came along and helped make the gig such a memorable occasion.
A video of 'The Conversation: I Am Me' song can be viewed below.
Mikeysline, which is based in Inverness has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages since it was founded in 2015.
Is text service line is on 07786 207755, while its WhatsApp contact number is 01463 729000.
