TORRENTIAL rain on Saturday (September 22) didn’t dampen spirits for a fundraiser that generated more than £500 for a mental health support charity based in Coleford.

Forest of Dean District Council chairman Cllr Marrilyn Smart organised the event at Dean Forest Railway to raise funds for her official charity, Forest Mental Health Carers Support Group (FMHCSG).

It offers support to those who care for someone with a severe mental illness such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or personality disorder and meets monthly at Sixteen Cafe in Coleford.

Cllr Smart said: “We wanted to choose a charity that supported mental health, as it is in the news so much at the moment. This support group has been running for 12 years and they don’t get a lot of funding. We wanted to give the group a higher profile and encourage others to fund it too.

“The event on Saturday was absolutely fabulous and over 60 people came along, including MP Mark Harper and a number of local dignitaries. The train ran from Norchard to Lydney, up to Parkend and back and we held a raffle on board.

“I’d like to thank railway volunteers for hosting the event. I’ve got absolute praise for Dean Forest Railway – it’s a wonderful tourist attraction and we’re so lucky to have it. It’s brilliant.”

Gillian Warden-Heggie, spokesperson for FMHCSG, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Marrilyn, she’s been wonderful and we’re so thankful she has chosen to support us. We’re so used to raising all our own money that it was a very emotional moment when we found out they were helping us.

“We offer support and respite to carers and we use the funding for activities and for speakers at our monthly meetings. We’re grateful to Sixteen Cafe for hosting us free of charge, but everything else we pay for ourselves. We used to have a support worker but we lost that in the county council’s budget cuts.

“My partner has bipolar disorder, and when you care for someone with a severe mental health condition, it’s exhausting and a crisis can happen in minutes. Having someone we could ring who knew us individually and knew our situation was invaluable. She also used to advise on benefits and advocacy.

“We’re campaigning for that support to be restored. Mark Harper met with us on Friday and has offered his support.”

To find out more about the group, email [email protected]

The group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 1pm to 3pm at Sixteen Café in Coleford.

n Carers in the Forest, whether caring for someone with mental health issues or not, can contact Maddy Jarrett, carer community builder, on 07884 886836 for advice and support.