CHEQUES worth almost £5000 were handed over to a range of charities from the organisers of the 2014 mountain bike festival, Jayfest.

The festival is organised each year in memory of former champion rider Jaymie Mart.

The fundraising event was set up in 2012 by a group of friends following her suicide.

And their aim is to raise awareness of mental health issues and also raise cash for local charities that can make a difference to people struggling with mental health issues.

This week, charities SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), SOBs (Survivors Of Bereavement by Suicide), Innerleithen and Walkerburn Community First Responders, and the Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab at Glasgow Universtiy were all presented with cheques from local festival organisers.

Planning is well under way for this year’s festival which will take place in Innerleithen again on August 29 and 30 (Bank Holiday Weekend).

The festival incorporates local food and craft stalls, kids entertainment, including football shoot out, archery, and pony rides, mountain bike skills sessions for kids and adults, yoga sessions, and live music.

To date the festival has raised over £10,000 and continues to go from strength to strength.

One of the organisers Dawn Derbyshire wanted especially to thank the local community for supporting the event. Dawn told us: “We’ve had great help both practically and financially with the event.

“Local people have been really generous with their time and money and have really helped us to make the festival what it is and to raise this money which I know these organisations can use to make a difference to peoples lives.

“A big thank you to everyone who has been involved.” More information can be found at jayfest.uk or at their Facebook page, Jayfest.