OPENING an Andy's Man Club branch in the Central Fife area was heavily campaigned for by the family of the late Michael Blake.
As previously reported by the Times, the 21-year-old, who was brought up in Crosshill and had only moved to Ballingry just weeks before his death, tragically passed away on October 1 last year.
One of Michael's sisters, Michelle Coyle, told the Times that her brother was a "friend to everyone”, and a “happy-go-lucky guy who was always smiling”.
Under the surface, though, he was struggling, and Michelle believes more positive messaging and the accessibility of a support group in the Benarty and Cowdenbeath area could have potentially saved his life.
Andy's Man Club branch to open in Cowdenbeath
Speaking to the Times following the impending inception of Andy's Man Club Cowdenbeath, she said: "It is fantastic news.
"It will help a lot of people who need it.
"The idea of A Night for Michael (a fundraising event held in Michael's memory - which raised £3,000 for Andy's Man Club) was to raise awareness of the need for an Andy's Man Club in the area.
"Having this locally will help a lot of men. I think if there had been better advertising of men's mental health and messages in the area to remind men that it is okay to talk, then Michael would maybe still be here."
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