The heartbroken partner of a man who died following a mental health battle said he 'wished he knew how much he was loved.' Lee Midgley was just 37-years-old when he tragically lost his life on November 12.
He was found dead by his boyfriend of 17 years, Mark Powell. The 'bubbly' man with the 'biggest personality' had always put on a front, Mark said. But behind closed doors he was struggling with mental health issues and grief following the loss of his father.
Lee met his doting boyfriend Mark in Manchester's Gay Village when they were just teenagers. They went on to enjoy 17 long and happy years together living in Lower Broughton, Salford, before his death earlier this month.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News and paying tribute to Lee, lab technician Mark, 36, said: "We met when we were only about 17 and we have been together ever since, we have been each other's only boyfriends.
"He was just the most bubbly and outgoing person who would help anyone, even a stranger. He had the kindest soul and was the biggest empath who had the most infectious laugh."
Lee, who was 'obsessed' with tech and computer games, as well as his two dogs, was a dancer and children's entertainer. He had previously worked on holiday parks, as well as coaching cheerleading for Wigan Vipers. He also worked as an IT trainer at Salford Royal Hospital.
But in the last two years, he had 'lost all his confidence' after a diagnosis of ADHD. He struggled with the passing of his dad, and the death of Mark's mum, who had Parkinson's.
"He had always suffered with mental health issues and was on anti-depressants. When he was younger, he was meant to have an ADHD assessment but it never happened", Mark explained.
"Around two years ago, he hit breaking point and we paid for him to be assessed privately after being given advice from an occupational therapist. He was diagnosed with combined ADHD.
"Within those two years, my mum also passed away, and he had really struggled watching her decline because they were so close. Then his dad died and it all built up and really affected him and he couldn't cope."
Mark said he is focused on raising awareness of mental health issues and ADHD, to help others who may find themselves in a similar situation to Lee.
"Everyday he would put on this happy and cheery front, but behind closed doors it was different", Mark said.
"It's important to be kind to people and understand that not everyone takes things in the same way. It was because of his nature that he really struggled."
Lee's sister Ann-Marie is now fundraising for donations towards a send off for him. "Both of our families have been so amazing through all this," Mark added. "We just wish he knew how much he was loved. He had a complex where he didn't realise how highly people thought of him. It shows what an impact he has had on people, because I have had so many message me from nowhere with pictures and videos of him.
"I want to do him justice with making people aware about ADHD and the challenges of mental health. For me now, it will take time to build myself back up again, but I've got an amazing support network around me."
Donations can be made to the fundraiser in Lee's memory here.
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