A DUNFERMLINE mum who has helped raise more than £10,000 since the death of her son has been named a charity champion.

Laura Reid received the accolade at the 2019 Scottish Champions Awards in Edinburgh on Friday evening just a week before what would have been her son's 23rd birthday.

Calum died in August 2017 after struggling with mental health issues. Since then, two charity football matches have been held in his honour and his loved ones are continuing to raise money for Support in Mind Scotland.

Laura said she was "absolutely amazed" to hear she had won.

"Considering the standard of people in my category it was just amazing," she said. "It was very, very emotional. It would have been Calum's birthday this Friday so it is a difficult time anyway but it was twice as emotional because it was so close.

"As far as I am concerned, it was for him that we won it."

Laura hopes her efforts will help prevent other families from going through what her family endured.

"With the way Fife has been this last fortnight with more of these male suicides, it is like an epidemic," she added. "What can we do about it? We can raise awareness and try and help people but they need to know that help is there. It is young men not talking to each other. It is very difficult for them to open up.

"One of the other winners on the night was also for mental health. It is really good for that to be so out there at the moment. I am also so pleased that Support in Mind Scotland has been recognised because they do such a lot of work to try and help everybody."

Colin Leslie, fundraising and communications manager at Support in Mind Scotland, said they were "absolutely thrilled and proud" that Laura had won the prestigious award.

He added: “Laura and her family suffered a tragic loss when her son Calum took his own life but she has campaigned with great positivity and determination to support mental health awareness and to help other people living with mental illness.”