More men will be supported in Dumfries thanks to a huge fundraising effort by a group who lost their friend Leroy Langan to suicide.

Davie Fraser and his friends – Tina Fraser, Scott Dunsmore, Paul Henderson, Steve Quigley and Clint Langan – walked 120 miles in memory of their beloved friend, Leroy, from Beattock to his favourite fishing spot in Portpatrick via the Southern Upland Way in March 2025.

The group completed the walk to raise awareness around men’s mental health and suicide prevention, raising over £13,000 for Change Mental Health.

Following their efforts in raising the staggering amount, Davie and his friends requested funds to be used on developing more clubs for men delivered in Dumfries. These clubs will enable men to start talking about their own mental health, while sharing stories and experiences that can be achieved through increased confidence and peer support.

Davie Fraser said:

“Losing Leroy to suicide came as a huge shock and brought the issue of men’s mental health into sharp focus for many of us. We felt we had to do something to help raise awareness of the problem of escalating male suicide rates, while raising some money for a local charity.

“The team at Change Mental Health were very supportive of our challenge throughout, and have been good enough to keep us updated with the spending of the funds raised. We are particularly delighted to see that the fishing club is now up and running.”

Clubs have started in Dumfries already, with one focusing on gardening and the other fishing – Leroy’s favourite activity. Funds are being spent on upgrading a local allotment for the gardening club, where supported men are contributing ways in which the allotment can become more of a fruitful and creative space. Through person-centred support, they are encouraged to make the space their own and in time will see their skills developed.

The fishing club is in early stages of development, with plans for local and wider excursions.

These clubs are based within the Employability Support Project, designed to improve knowledge, skills and confidence in supporting people to break down barriers when accessing paid employment, volunteering or further education. The service has already helped one participant of the allotment club to access a conservation course. People accessing Change Mental Health resource centres in Dumfries will also benefit from the clubs.

John Scott, Service Manager at Change Mental Health, said:

“It has a been a privilege to get to know Davie and his friends following their tremendous efforts of walking over 100 miles for Leroy. They have become familiar faces at our service to see the work we’re doing for mental health in the community and when supporting men.

“It’s donations like these that allow us to do the things we may otherwise not have been able to afford. The allotment club project is a good example of that. We’ve recently been able to spend this fundraised income on upgrades to the allotment so that men have a better experience within this club.”