A grieving couple whose son died of a drugs overdose have raised thousands of pounds for a north-east rehab centre.
Nicky Christoffersen died from an overdose at a house in Peterhead after a night out with friends.
It came just after the 19-year-old stepped up his efforts to beat his heroin addiction by starting a methadone programme and seeking help from a local rehab centre.
After his death, his parents Martin and Pat of Crimond, Aberdeenshire, decided to raise funds for Teen Challenge men’s residential centre, Sunnybrae, near Fyvie as they believe it could have saved his life.
To mark the first anniversary of the tragedy, his parents held a celebration of his life at the Ban-Car hotel at Lonmay to raise funds for the charity.
Mrs Christoffersen said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to all who came along for what was a very special evening, as we marked the anniversary of losing our precious son, Nicky, with close family and friends.
“We’re delighted to be able to contribute £4,000 to Teen Challenge – a very worthy charity which gives hope to people caught in addiction, showing that there is a way out of their situations.”
The couple adopted Nicky when he was a baby and since his death have been in regular contact with his birth mother.
Mr Christoffersen, a director of Crimond-based haulage firm BB Christoffersen, got involved with Teen Challenge through his church before Nicky’s death.
“The help is there if they’re ready for it,” he said.
“It’s strongly Christian-based and they have to start going to church before they get in.
“These are young guys who have probably never been in a church in their lives before and, at that age, they have other things on their minds.”
Gordon Cruden, area manager of Teen Challenge North-East Scotland, added: “We’re extremely grateful to Pat and Martin for this kind donation. To use the first anniversary of the death of their son to raise money and, ultimately, help others break free from addiction is an incredible gesture.”