A STEVENSTON dad who lost his mum and friend to suicide is hoping to raise £1,000 cycling around Arran in their memory.

Anthony Boyd was just a couple of months old when his mum Lesley took her own lifeaged at the age of 19. More tragedy struck a few weeks ago for the 29-year-old when his friend, John Conaghan from Irvine, also took his life.

Anthony said: “I’m doing a cycle round Arran for a charity called PAPYRUS which raises awareness for young suicide. 

“I’m hoping to raise about £1,000 for them. They do a lot and even if this helps one person, it will be worth it.

“My mum committed suicide when I was a couple of months old and my friend just a few weeks ago. My mum grew up in Dalry and she was only 19-years-old when she died. Johnny was 31. 

“Gallery 57 in Saltcoats are going to donate 50 white candles for people to light before we start the cycle.

“We’re also getting t-shirts made up with my mum on the front and Johnny on the back.”

Anthony and his partner’s brother Reece McMaster will be setting off round the island for the charity cycle on September 30.

You can support them by picking up a sponsor form in the following venues: Potters, Cross Keys, the Barbers and Ladbrokes all in Stevenston, and Albion and Bar One in Saltcoats. 

To find out more about PAPYRUS, visit https://www.papyrus-uk.org/.