A THREE Towns woman is aiming to help those in need after setting up a charity for those with mental health problems.

28-year-old Kerry Elliott from Stevenston recently launched 'Little Boxes of Distraction' in the hope that others who suffer mental health issues can be helped in her unique way.

Launched just over four weeks ago, she has raised over £370 and sent out 20 boxes with another 20 to do as well as a charity in England ordering 10 boxes for their service users.

Kerry explained the background behind the idea, she said: "When i was attending a local self-harm support charity, Penumbra, I was asked to make a comfort box.

"Things that bring me good memories such as letters from friends, smelly soaps, photos etc.

"I began to think about having a box of things to distract me and what each thing would help with such as Fun Snaps to throw at the ground when I am angry to release some of the anger, a pillowcase and fabric marker to write positive things on and use as a comfort pillow and other things.

"The aim of the charity is to provide people with mental health issues a box of things to distract themselves when they are having unhelpful thoughts and impulses. Even if it stops one person from harming one time I will have achieved my goal. It is not to stop people from harming but to prevent it at least once."

Starting out organically has seen likes and shares on social media about the project grow and grow with Kerry being 'overwhelmed' by the support that she has received so far. She added: "I have been so overwhelmed by the response I have been getting from the public.

"Within 24 hours of running my project, I had 200 likes on my facebook page and band 5 Seconds of Summer had retweeted the project.

I have also had Scottish actress Laurie Brett (Jane Beale from Eastenders) retweet the project too."

Kerry also explained that the service isn't just for adults or even teenagers, it's for everyone who wants and needs it, she explained: "My first box I delivered was to an 11-year-old. Her mum requested the box for her as she has started showing signs of self-harming. After I put that photo up on my Facebook page the donations came in thick and fast.

"People always presume that its teenagers that self-harm not children as young as 11."

If you would like to get in touch Kerry or help to support the Little Boxes you can do so by visiting gofund.me/littlebox, www.facebook.com/Littleboxofdistractions or be visiting www.littleboxofdistractions.wordpress.com.

Kerry added: "We are looking for people to help with fundraising. I am so busy myself to do so much fundraising. I have the boxes and ordering and sending to do and it takes up a lot of my time."