Chris’s House was founded by Anne Rowan, a Wishaw mum with a passionate vision for a crisis centre established in memory of her son Chris, whom she lost to suicide in 2011 at the age of 36.

In the years following Chris’s death, Anne experienced an overwhelming sense of guilt. She turned her attention to taking action – through the creation of Chris’s House, a ‘Centre for Help, Response and Intervention Surrounding Suicide’. It is the first 24-hour, non-medical crisis centre in Scotland offering integrated support.

Chris’s House has been set up to offer a safe environment where people in, or approaching, suicidal crisis can have a safe place to go and get professional support. This will help them to begin to recover from their current mental ill health. Chris’s House call anyone using their service a “Guest” and offer an individually tailored programme for each Guest.

Anne remains an active and passionate leader of Chris’s House. She is joined in this mission to help bring awareness to mental ill health with more than 60+ volunteers. Each has been touched in some way by suicide and understands the ongoing ripple effects that it has on family, friends and the community.

Taking place on Friday 6th September at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries and Galloway, the six-hour team building corporate adventure race sees teams from across the property industry compete against each other for the trophy, whilst at the same time raising much needed funds for Chris’s House. Up to 80 teams of 3 people will compete in three categories – mixed, men’s and women’s. The popular annual event is highly recognised within the industry for being a test of fitness, stamina and mental capacity with a range of outdoor pursuits including running, mountain biking, orienteering and paddle boarding.

Now in its 16th year, the Challenge has raised over £205,000 since it was established, helping a variety of charities, such as Projekt 42, Childline, Ovarian Cancer Action, Borders Children’s Charity and Horse Time.

David Peck, managing director at Buccleuch Property, said: “We always go through a rigorous selection process and like supporting smaller, local charities where our contribution can make a bigger difference so we are absolutely delighted to be supporting this very worthwhile cause and have seen first-hand the amazing work they do on the ground. As always, we will be seeking corporate sponsorship alongside holding a raffle and auction on the day and always welcome individual teams doing what they can too.”

Anne Rowan, founder of Chris’s House, said: “We are really looking forward to the 2024 Buccleuch Property Challenge and we are so grateful to have been chosen as the fundraising partner this year.