Torin Liversedge didn’t plan on turning his photography into fundraising.
The photos he took on long walks near his home in Cushnie were to help him deal with the death of his older brother Corey, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 16.
But since then, Torin has channelled his grief into a project that now spans hundreds of households — a calendar of his own landscape photography, created and sold entirely in Corey’s memory.
In the process, he has raised more than £5,200 for suicide prevention charities. It is an unexpectedly large amount.
Unexpected to Torin, at least.
“I didn’t know how many calendars I’d sell or how much money I’d raise,” he says. “So when I hit £5,200, it came as a bit of a shock.”
This year’s print run sold 348 copies, with every penny of the £15 sale price going to SAMH’s North East Suicide Prevention work. Torin, 17, paid the production costs himself using birthday money and savings.
“It’s not just a project I do at the end of the year,” he says. “It’s a year-round thing. I’m always searching for a calendar shot.”
A call out of the blue, and a trip to London
Torin’s mum Kerry says her son’s determination has been “an injection of adrenaline” in the years since losing Corey.
“He surprises me every day,” she says. “It’s his motivation, his resilience, his determination. He’s not afraid to take on some big projects.”
In April, Torin’s efforts were recognised with a Rotary Young Citizen Award. He was nominated by the president of the Aboyne and Upper Deeside Rotary Club, who helped him sell calendars and submitted his story to the national competition.
“One day we were driving towards Buckie and the head of Rotary UK phoned to say Torin had won,” Kerry says.
The family were flown to London for the ceremony and Torin spoke on stage in front of hundreds of people — a daunting experience.
“I’m not very good at speaking in front of other people,” he admits. “It was scary. But it made me prouder than I thought I was. It helped me realise what I’d actually done.”
Now, with help from the Rotary network, Torin is planning to increase his print run to 500 calendars for 2026 — and push his fundraising total for suicide prevention closer to £10,000.
But that’s not all.
Torin’s dream is to climb Everest, raising funds for suicide prevention along the way. If he makes it to the top, he hopes to bring a small Scottish flag that used to hang in Corey’s room and plant it at the summit.
“I know with Torin, it will be a when, not an if,” Kerry says.
Making the best from a bad situation
This autumn will mark five years since Corey’s death. It is a milestone the family don’t tend to mark — Corey’s birthday in September is a more significant time, when they visit the patch of trees they planted at Loch Muick in his memory.
“Just being outside helps,” Torin says.
Memories of that time half a decade ago are, of course, still fraught.
Corey had struggled with the isolation of lockdown, poor internet access and academic pressure — a combination his family believes became overwhelming during the pandemic.
But as the years pass, photography helps Torin keep his brother in his thoughts. He is however, modest about whether the photography has helped him cope.
“I don’t really know if it’s helped,” he says. “But it does have a connection to my brother.”
Each calendar includes a short blurb about Corey and the importance of suicide prevention.
And as Torin continues to build his next edition and plans his biggest challenge yet, Kerry says the motivation behind it is simple — and deeply personal.
“He misses his brother,” she says. “And out of a bad situation, this is his best bet to make things as best as he can for him and for us. He can’t live it for his brother, but he can certainly show him some honour in what he does.”
If you or someone you know needs help
Torin’s calendars are on sale at Spider on a Bicycle in Aboyne and the Kinker Store in Kincardine O’Neil. You can also reach him through his photography Instagram here. or on email at torinliversedge@gmail.com.
If you have serious concerns for your own or someone else’s safety, it’s important to call 999.
If you are distressed, struggling to cope or have thoughts of suicide, you can contact NHS 24 by phoning 111, or Samaritans by phoning 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
In non-urgent situations, you can contact the SAMH information service (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri) to chat about mental health or get more information about mental health support in your area on 0344 800 0550 or info@samh.org.uk.
You can text Shout on 85258 any time. Or call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am or between Friday 6pm-Monday 6am.
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