A group of police officers took to the Don yesterday to raise funds for mental health patients in the north-east.
The team from the British Transport Police (BTP) was sailing the Garioch Lions’ raft race in honour of their chosen charity for the year, Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA).
The charity provides support services, counselling and advice to people affected by challenges related to mental health and wellbeing.
Yesterday constable Peter McAndie said the cause was important to them due to the types of incidents they have to frequently respond to on the railway lines.
He said: “Mental health awareness is very close to our hearts not only because of the people we try to help, but because of course, the nature of our work has the potential to impact on our own health.
“We are aiming to do as much as we can to get people talking about mental health and for them to know what help is on offer.
“Mental Health Aberdeen does so much for people across the north-east and any money we raise will go towards helping facilitate this.”
The popular annual raft race began at Kembhill Park in Kemnay and followed the River Don to the old Don Bridge in Inverurie.
The team was made up of local officers Constable Pete McAndie and Craig Allan, joined by Chief Inspector Sue Maxwell.
Astrid Whyte, chief executive of MHA, said: “The Aberdeen BTP team know all too well with the situations they face how helpless those with mental health difficulties can feel.
“We are here to let these people know that they do not have to suffer alone as help, advice and resources are available.
“The money that Peter and his colleagues raise will go a long way to helping us sustain this and continue helping people. I would like to thank them for choosing MHA as their charity of the year.
“Demand for our range of services is high and we want to be able to tackle this as quickly as we can, which can sometimes be difficult, particularly in the current climate.”
