As Odhrán Doherty's family prepare to celebrate his 21st birthday on Friday, it is a bittersweet moment for the entire community.
The young man, from Ardoyne, died suddenly last year, sending a wave of shock and heartache throughout his family, friends and the wider Belfast area. Odhrán was passionate about community work, and was invovled with Ardoyne Youth Club and R-City, based on the Shankill Road.
Known by many as a quiet young man, Odhrán's life changed when he began the youth groups, which helped him in more ways than one. And his positive attitude and commitment to helping others, is the inspiration behind a fundraiser tomorrow night, to mark his big birthday.
Read more: NI family's pain after brother's suicide
Speaking to Belfast Live, Odhrán's mum Maureen said the day her son died was the "beginning of a nightmare".
"Odhrán is one of six boys," Maureen said.
"He was the third boy, and was such a great young man. When he died, it was a severe blow, you couldn't even describe it. It ripped the heart and soul out of my body, and out of the family.
"Odhrán's brother is going on to do youth work, and recently won a Princes Trust Award, regional and national. He took a positive out of that negative, and is only 16. He went and achieved so much after his brother's death.
"There are no words to describe how we felt when Odhrán died. He was such a brilliant kid. He never touched drugs, and done everything he could for his community. He done charity work and everything for suicide awareness.
"We couldn't understand, because he had done so much to raise awareness for suicide, and then took his own life. I can't make sense of it, or get my head around it - and I don't think I ever will.
"By speaking out, I want to help others. If it can help one other child, so another family doesn't go through the pain we have gone through. I know our Odhrán would never do anything to hurt us, I know it.
"He was so happy that night. He had gone for a couple of pints with his daddy, he was laughing and joking. When he came home he watched a film with his brother and then went to bed at 11:30pm and asked his daddy to get him up in the morning for work.
"That is when his daddy went in, and our nightmare started."
Maureen says Odhrán's young daughter, Aibreán, brings endless joy and love to the family.
"I don't know where I would be today without our Aibreán," she added.
"She brings so much joy to us, and I can hug her, and kiss her and hold her and know that my Odhrán was part of the making of her. But then, I look at her too and it is sad because he isn't here.
"I am lucky that I have something belonging to my son here, through my grandchild, and some people don't have that. I couldn't walk in their shoes. Odhrán left me a legacy behind, in his daughter, and that helps me."
On Friday night, family, friends, youth workers and members of the community, will come together to mark Odhrán's birthday, and to help the family's efforts in raising £10,000 for Ardoyne Youth Club and R-City.
The event, will take place form 8pm at the Crumlin Star in Ardoyne, with tickets priced at £5 and entry at the door also allowed. And although their lives will never be the same again, Odhrán Doherty's memory will continue to live on, carrying on the positive work he took part in over the last few years.
Maureen said: "Odhrán will be 21 tomorrow, June 9. and I am not letting it go unnoticed.
"The night will be great, there'll be a slideshow with clips of him, and then his friends will speak about him. There's a disco, ballots and an auction.
"We want to raise as much money as possible for the youth clubs. His friends from the Shankill are coming up too, so we are looking forward to seeing them.
"There will also be a balloon release, 21 balloons for his birthday. I always called him my big blue rose, so the balloons are blue.
"Odhrán would be so proud that there is money being raised for places which were so close to his heart. He had Asperger's and Tourette’s, and never really would have spoke, and everybody thought of him as a quiet man who didn't speak.
"One day, he was about 14, and he came in from Ardoyne Youth Club, and he told us all about it. Me and his daddy thought we were given one million pound because he was talking about it. His life changed so much when he joined those clubs.
"We want to raise £10,000 and we won't stop. If it helps one child, in Odhrán's memory, it is good. Kids are brought off the streets, to go to these groups. They bring kids across the world. They are absolutely fantastic and we want to give back. Our Odhrán really loved it."
You can donate in memory of Odhrán Doherty through PayPal at maureendoherty1970@gmail.com.
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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