A LOCAL family have raised more than £21,000 for a local mental health charity in memory of their teenage son who tragically died by suicide.

Ethan Nutton was just 19 when he took his own life in September 2019 after struggling with his mental health for 18 months.

His family wanted to raise £10,000 for Mind in Bradford by the anniversary of his death and despite the Covid-19 pandemic their total reached more than double that figure.

Due to the outpouring of support they decided to up their target, to raise £21,000 by what would have been his 21st birthday in January of this year.

Ethan’s parents Mandie and Damian, and his sister Ellie, wanted something positive to come out of their son’s tragic passing, by supporting mental health services which work to help people suffering with similar issued which afflicted Ethan.

They family received generous backing from their friends and neighbours in Elland, particular Kelly and Richard Miller and their sons Kian and CJ.

Mandie Nutton said: “We thought: let’s get something positive out of that.

“We decided that by the anniversary of Ethan’s death in September we would raise £10,000.

“As a family the fundraising has given us a focus. It has helped us massively. For us, it has kept us going and given something else to think about.”

Ellie and Kian organised a special event for Ethan’s birthday in January 2020, raising £7,500.

Mrs Nutton added: “It was unbelievable the donations we had for the raffle, and there were a few big items, so we had a mini-auction.

“Ellie surprised us. She’s a very strong young woman. She was 16 in the December so that was a hard few months for us.”

Other fundraising events were planned but Covid-19 and subsequent lockdowns meant they had to be cancelled, but online events and raffles were held to raise money, and Mrs Nutton did a 50km running challenge in May and Mr Nutton climbed Mount Snowdon to raise money.

On why they chose to support Mind in Bradford, Mrs Nutton said: “It was really interesting visiting Mind in Bradford to see what they do, what goes on in all the different rooms and spaces.

“We battled along with Ethan. We never thought he would get to the point he did. He disappeared a lot. He self-harmed a few times but it was more superficial. September was quite a shock.”

Having Mind in Bradford information at events has helped start conversations, she added.

“A few people come to us and said that they have struggled and we would never have guessed.

“More people talk to each other. With the number of young men taking their own lives, people are more aware of it now. Ethan didn’t always want to talk.”

Lisa Jakimciw, Mind in Bradford’s interim business development director, said: “The support of families who have lost a loved one is so greatly appreciated by all at Mind in Bradford.

“All the money raised for us is spent in the district on our wide variety of services, which offer help and support to anyone struggling with their mental health.”

“The money raised will make a huge difference. There has been an increased demand for mental health support due to the pandemic, and this will help us to support anyone who needs us in these challenging times.”

Mrs Nutton added: “We sat as a family each night talking it through.

"It’s very easy to go into your room. I think it was that openness that helped us as a family. Talking, as a family, we will get through it.”

Mind in Bradford is a charity which works throughout the Bradford and Craven districts to offer support to anyone struggling with their mental health.

Its services include the telephone helpline, Guide-Line, a wellbeing programme of activities and events, and one-to-one mental health recovery workers in GP surgeries.

It is affiliated to Mind, but all money raised for Mind in Bradford is spent on services in the district.

For more information, help or support, visit Mind in Bradford's website or call 01274 730815. People in crisis can contact First Response on 01274 221181.