GLASGOW EYES MAGAZINE ISSUE 1

BE-HEARD
A former soldier has told how he realised his dream to become a fashion designer after his
friend lost a battle with depression.
Now Joseph McCabe has dedicated his new business to the memory of tragic Liam Gildea,
who took his own life during the Covid-19 lockdown.
He said: “Losing Liam gave me the final push to do it. He would be so proud.”
Joseph, 35, was devastated when Liam, 29, died in April.
Joseph was a private in the Royal Logistic Corps for five years before leaving the Army to
work as a ground maintenance worker. However, he’d always nurtured an ambition to
launch his own clothing label.
It took Liam’s sudden death to inspire him to create his B-Heard label as a tribute to his
pal.
Joseph said he wants the brand to raise awareness of mental health issues – and has
pledged to donate a cut of profits to a support group.
Professional footballers including Celtic winger Calvin Miller, Partick Thistle striker Brian
Graham and ex-Raith Rovers player and manager John Baird have already backed the new
label and been photographed wearing the range.
Former Celtic star Bobby Petta also backed the brand on social media.
Dad-of-two Joseph, of Carntyne, Glasgow, said: “I always wanted to design clothes and
have a fashion brand.
“Liam was a good-looking guy, a great laugh and very outgoing so he’d probably want to
be one of the models. He’s a great loss to everyone who knew him.
“I wanted to get the message that people had to speak out and discuss these issues,
hence the name B-Heard.
“It’s been a sad, difficult time but I wanted something positive to come from all of this. He
passed away in the middle of lockdown so it was a very tough time.”