On Saturday December 6th, local charity Mikeysline marked a meaningful milestone: 10 years of providing vital lifeline mental health and suicide support services throughout the Highlands, Islands and Moray.
Founded in 2015 after the tragic loss of close friends, Martin Shaw and Michael Williamson, within 48-hours of each other, Mikeysline emerged with an urgent mission to make sure those in emotional distress would never feel alone.
Starting off as the world’s first ‘text-for-help’ hotline operated via a single mobile phone passed between volunteers, Mikeysline has grown into a multi-service organisation, offering text based and 1:1 in-person peer led support; expansion into schools and tailored workplace talks alongside the launch of two Hive on the Road mobile support vehicles, serving the areas more rural and remote communities.
To honour the charity’s origins, Mikeysline proudly recreated the torchlight parade that marked its official launch. The original procession saw hundreds of people line Inverness High Street, shining their mobile phone torches skyward in a poignant and powerful display of finding hope and light in the darkness.
Speaking after the event, Mikeysline CEO, Emily Stokes, said, “We were absolutely thrilled with the support of our community on Saturday, turning out to join us in fantastic numbers and shine a light into the darkness to mark our 10th anniversary the same way that Mikeysline was launched 10 years ago.”
Picture: Image from procession in 2025