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May’s hope for helping people beat addiction
By Martin Donegan - Evening Times
THE woman leading a Glasgow charity battling drink and drugs is praying her latest book will boost plans to build a £2million centre.
The Preshal Trust, which is backed by Sir Alex Ferguson, was founded by May Nicholson.
She has spent the last seven years in Govan mending lives ravaged by substance abuse and mental health issues.
advertisementNow the 62-year-old, from Paisley, hopes her heartbreaking yet uplifting book will pave the way for a purpose-built centre - allowing her to help more troubled individuals and families.
More Miracles From Mayhem reveals horrendous tales of poverty, deprivation, alcohol and drug abuse, family breakdown and youth crime. But according to May, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict herself, it also proves miracles really do happen.
She said: "Many of our members have literally been to hell and back.
"We have one women who was put into care at the age of five. She lived in four different children's homes before being sent to a psychiatric hospital.
"Her family didn't want to know her and, at the age of 13, she was raped.
"After that she ended up drinking a lot, which landed her in all kinds of trouble.
"But thanks to God's help she's turned her life around and is now a volunteer at Preshal."
The book also charts the charity's humble beginnings in a local church hall to securing the support of football legend Sir Alex, who last year became patron of the Preshal building project.
The Manchester United boss got involved after a mutual friend told him of the work being done by May in his native Govan.
He invited her to the club's training ground where they filmed a DVD to promote the charity.
And Sir Alex admitted being inspired by May's first book, Miracles From Mayhem, which revealed how she beat drink and drugs to raise her family before overcoming cancer.
He said: "I've been captivated by May and the work of Preshal.
"Her story is one of courage and determination. It inspired me in the knowledge that all those Govanites who have experienced similar problems to May are in good hands."
Tycoon Tom Farmer and actor David Hayman have also pledged their support, as have Stagecoach founder Brian Souter and hotel owners Donald and Christine Macdonald.
Their backing has allowed May and her team to extend Preshal's services to young people in a bid to tackle Govan's gang problem.
The official launch of More Miracles From Mayhem will take place at 7pm in Wesley Owen bookstore, 24-28 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, on Friday April 24. Entry costs £3. To book tickets or buy May's book call 0141 445 3689.