A CASH boost of more than £4,000 from an Inverclyde charity campaigner is helping a vital organisation which transforms the lives of people who have been released from prison.

Stephen Connon has pledged to sponsor Inverclyde Faith in Throughcare (IFiT) with a donation of £175 every week over the next six months.

IFiT supports people who have been released from a short-term custodial sentence and helps them reintegrate into society. 

The money donated by Stephen will be used to buy food for the sessions and will go towards raising funds for social activities for participants. 

READ MORE: Charity which helps former prisoners defies pandemic

The DJ launched his fundraising page during the first coronavirus lockdown in May 2020 and has now raised more than £260,000 for charity. 

Stephen added: "I want to help a whole range of different organisations.

"I haven't supported a group like this before so I'm very happy to be able to sponsor them. 

"Hopefully this will encourage other organisations to get involved. 

"I want to help the guys raise awareness of what they do and help to reduce stigma. 

"They do amazing work with people. 

"It will be great to see how it helps and how it all progresses over the next six months."

IFiT co-ordinator Robbie Miller said the team are thrilled with Stephen's donation and that it will make a big difference. 

He added: "This is an amazing amount of money for us every week and we're really, really grateful to Stephen for helping us out.

"It's a massive contribution to what we do and will help us continue to offer really meaningful support. 

"It's great to know that Stephen really values what we do and this money will go a long way."

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IFiT support worker Robbie Murdoch met Stephen when the pair were both involved in the Auchmountain Glen project. 

He said the organisation works with people at different stages of their recovery. 

Robbie added: "We're working with around 30 participants just now. 

"We help people reintegrate back into their communities and stop them from reoffending. 

"Everyone has a chart and action plan and benefits from one-to-one support and group sessions and there are so many opportunities to learn new skills."

Michael Coyle, 29, from Port Glasgow, said everyone who goes along to the IFiT sessions is very appreciative of the support Stephen is providing. 

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He told the Tele how the organisation had helped him turn his life around. 

Michael added: "I struggled with anxiety and depression for years and it was ruining me. 

"I had a one-to-one meeting with my support worker and was referred to the guys here. 

"Since I started coming here, you can't keep me in the house. 

"I'm out and about hillwalking and walking The Cut. 

"From where I started to where I am now, I'm a completely different person. 

"I've joined Inverclyde Shed and taken up wood turning.

"The groups are giving me a bit of structure and purpose."

Lee Gray, 40, is from Port Glasgow and now lives in Greenock. 

He said: "I've been in and out of prison my whole life. 

"When I came out I decided to engage with my drug and alcohol worker so I could change things and stay away from drugs. 

"I'm a totally different person now.

"I used to lock myself in my room at my mum's.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for these guys."

IFiT runs sessions at Dutch Gable House on a Monday, at Lyle Kirk on a Tuesday and Thursday. 

To find out more about IFiT visit www.ifitinverclyde.org.uk