AFTER struggling with mental health and serious debt last year, Ron Graham is feeling in a better frame of mind for 2021 thanks to help from Irvine’s Christian Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre.

The Fullarton Connexions-based group gave him a helping hand when he was at his lowest last year.

Now the dad-of-three is putting his best foot forward and taking on a challenge to help raise vital funds for the charity.

He said: “Since I got some help from CAP last year I have also been working hard at losing weight. I have lost four-and-a-half stone so far.

“To help keep my fitness going, I came up with the idea of walking the West Highland Way in July when, we hope, it should be pretty much COVID-free.

“My target is to raise as much money as possible for CAP and Mental Health North Ayrshire, who both carry out important work in the community.”

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is urging people impacted financially throughout the pandemic to seek help now and not allow their debts to build up further.

The CAP Debt Centre, based at Fullarton Connexions and is offering free help to local people facing money problems due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Alan McLaren, CAP Debt Centre Coach, said: “We know that many people wait as long as three years before finding help with their debts.

“At first, it may seem like you can manage a drop in income but when bills start to get missed debt can rapidly build up until it becomes unmanageable.

“Debt can be caused by many different reasons – ill health, bereavement, relationship breakdown or low income – so it may not just be due to the pandemic although we know that many people in our area have had a reduction in hours or income and may be struggling.”

Since the pandemic hit, the CAP Debt Help service has adapted to follow social distancing guidelines to stay safe whilst still offering its award winning help.

Alan added: “It doesn’t matter whether people have reached the desperation Ron faced, or whether they’ve just begun to struggle.

“We are determined to do whatever we can to alleviate the additional pressure that many people are facing as they negotiate loss of or low income.

For more information about the free help on offer, contact alanmclaren@capuk.org, tel 07717 645804.