A mum has urged people to 'ask for support when they are struggling' after the tragic death of her son.
Toby Riley from Nailsea, died aged 18 on July 4 last year - his sudden death devastated his family, friends and the local community. But to honour his memory and to create a lasting legacy, a huge charity drive and fun day was organised - raising nearly £24,000.
A GoFund Me page set up following Toby’s death reached £18,994 which paid for the funeral. But his family wanted to use the surplus funds for a cause in his memory, reports Somerset Live.
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A fundraising drive was launched to raise money to build an outdoor gym in sports-mad Toby’s memory. Toby enjoyed bike rides with dad Al and was a keen skate park competitor, football player and coach.
He was also a member of numerous local organisations in the town including the air cadets, Nailsea United FC and Priority Football. ‘Toby’s Fun Day’ at the Ring O Bells and Grove Sports Field in Nailsea was held at the weekend, raising £4,600 for the charity Young Minds and taking the total for the outdoor gym to £23,900.
The day featured a multi coloured fun run, which attracted a staggering 675 entrants. An auction, with 27 lots, raised a further £10,000.
There was also a packed programme of entertainment and live music. Toby’s mum Suzy said: “It is time to remember Toby in a positive way.
"Seeing so many people out having fun in the sunshine was just incredible, but then seeing Facebook and Instagram flooded with such colour and gleaming white smiles was just priceless.”
Suzy also thanked the team who helped organise the special day. She said: “I wanted to do something fun for the community in Toby’s memory so together with Rob Prior, of Priority Football, and Rebecca Williams, from the Ring O’Bells and we put our heads together and came up with the idea of the family fun day to raise even more money for the park as well as Young Minds.
“The event could not have taken place without the help of an extraordinary amount of people who used their skills and contacts to pull it out of the bag.
"It took the whole community to come together to make it work. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your help and support.
"It honestly means so much. We cannot wait to start the next process of building a fantastic activity area for everyone to enjoy.”
The original idea for installing an outdoor gym in a Nailsea park came from Nailsea International Bike Show stalwart Sharon Colley. Sharon’s idea was supported by town councillor Jo Hopkinson who took up the cudgels and now has the full council backing.
Suzy added: "Toby’s Fun Day was not only a celebration of Toby’s life, it is an opportunity for us, as a community that has collectively been hugely impacted by such a tragic and unexpected loss, to highlight the importance of reaching out for help and asking for support when you are struggling.
"Every single one of these deaths by suicide is a tragedy that devastates families, friends and communities. Suicide has a ripple effect, extending well beyond the person's immediate family and friends and we do not want any other family to go through what we have.
"We want you all to know that there is help and that there is no shame or stigma around asking for that help.”
