Daughter of Scottish businessman speaks out after tragic suicide

Speaking for the first time since her father's suicide, Zara Finnie said mental health should be a “constant focus” and not just something to think about after a tragedy has happened.

Her father, Kevin Finnie, a well-known businessman in Ayrshire, took his own life in July, leaving local residents stunned.

In response, people in South Ayrshire have come together to support the Finnie family and raise awareness of the importance of men's mental health by offering support groups and information on where to get help.

Finnie has had a successful career, founding the Treehouse Leisure Group in 1999 and opening The Treehouse in Ayr and Kilmarnock. He has also managed Life Night Club in Kilmarnock and Café Bonne in Prestwick. He recently opened The Buf in Ayr and Prestwick, alongside One 11 Bar and Restaurant.

The 55-year-old shared his recent struggles on his personal Facebook account before his body was found on a property in South Ayrshire on July 18.

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The next day, local businesses and competitors posted their condolences on social media, with the Red Lion Bar and Restaurant saying, “Honestly, I was a bit groggy this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kevin's family… Being in business is tough at the best of times, but it seems he went through a particularly rough time later on. We hope he has found peace now.”

Finnie's eldest daughter, Zara Finnie, told The Sunday National: “I have been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from everyone involved.

“Every time someone from the area commits suicide, awareness increases, but I think we need to work to keep the issue front and center.

“A social media post that reaches the right person at the right time could save their life and that is why this should be a constant focus in local communities… we lose far too many people to mental illness.

“I think there is such a stigma around men's mental health because unfortunately it seems like it's the 'happiest, loudest, funniest' person in the room who doesn't talk and ends up losing their mental health battle.”

The town's Facebook group, Prestwick – Just Saying, is heavily promoting support groups. The 24-year-old said: “Support groups are hugely important for the people who are strong enough to go there. But I think something needs to be done to help the people who maybe don't have the strength to go there.”

Finnie believes that her father avoided in-person support groups because, as a well-known and respected figure, he was afraid of meeting anyone he knew.

Following Finnie's death, Release Ayrshire actively promoted its #ChatItOut slogan at the annual Prestfest music festival in Prestwick, which took place in early August this year. Release is an online men's support service that supplies bars and restaurants with merchandise and leaflets for those who need help or someone to talk to.

The Finnie family expressed their deep gratitude to a similar support group, Andy's Man Club, by holding a collection for both Myeloma UK and Andy's Man Club following Finnie's funeral, which was held at St Leonard's Parish Church, Ayr on Friday 16 August.

Andy's Man Club (AMC) was founded in 2016 in memory of Andrew Roberts by his mother Elaine Roberts and brother-in-law Luke Ambler to provide a free, judgement-free space for men to talk. The charity started in Yorkshire and now holds meetings nationwide every Monday at 7pm.

Alex McClintock, AMC's senior project development champion, said: “It's just about normalizing the conversation. It's difficult because as men we're not encouraged to talk about the things we should be talking about.”

“[AMC] We have many partnerships with football teams, charities and local businesses and seeing us on your t-shirts and programs could be enough to get that one man to come forward and ask for help.”

AMC has been named Charity of the Year 2024 for its work in over 200 groups across the UK.

READ MORE: Glasgow woman hits impressive fundraising milestone for Scottish charity

“When we're nominated and win for awards like this, it shows us that we're making a difference for someone and that these people are so passionate about AMC that they want to give back to us by nominating us.

“But you know, it's not just about AMC getting recognition, it's about raising awareness so that men know it's OK to talk about it.”

Zara Finnie expressed interest in becoming more involved with groups like AMC, saying: “I think we're very lucky to have two well attended venues in Prestwick. We will definitely be doing more to raise awareness and money for these kinds of causes and we will be offering our venues to help prevent something like this happening to someone else's father, brother, partner or son.”

Alarming figures from the National Records of Scotland reported earlier this week that the number of male suicides increased by 34 in 2023 compared to 2022.

If you are affected by anything in this article please contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or email [email protected]. Andy's Man Club can be found here – www.andysmanclub.co.uk