The No Substitute for Life, now in its third year, proved to be a thought-provoking event for the whole of Renfrewshire.

Fifteen teams took part in the seven-a-side football tournament with last year’s runners up, Lucy’s Angels, winning the final.

Football wasn’t the only thing on offer — friends and family were able to get information and meet representatives from a range of local and national agencies that are working together to help prevent suicide in Scotland.

People also had the opportunity to write a message on a purple heart and put it on the The Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) tree in the Tannahill Centre.

The event was attended by Renfrewshire’s Depute Provost, John Caldwell, who opened the event, and Paul Cardona, whose personal experiences led him to develop the event for the community.

At the end of the event a hundred balloons were released into the air in remembrance for those who had lost their lives to suicide.

Councillor Iain McMillan, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Social Work, Health and Wellbeing Policy Board, told The Gazette: “It’s great to see the community in Ferguslie get together and support people who have been bereaved by suicide. People who have lost a loved one to suicide often find it hard to talk to people about their loss, but events like No Substitute for Life are helping to change that.

“As men are twice as likely to lose their lives to suicide, a game of football is a great way to get together and talk about the issue. People should be aware that simply talking to someone who you think may be suicidal is vitally important to saving lives.” The SOBS support group meets on the last Tuesday of every month in the Charleston Centre between 7pm and 9pm.

No Substitute for Life is organised by community volunteers in partnership with Choose Life, Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) and Engage Renfrewshire.

The national helpline Breathing Space can be reached on 0800 83 85 87, and the number for The Samaritans is 08457 90 90 90.