'YOU would never think you would be burying your best friend, someone who you have grown up with'.

Those are the heartbreaking words of a friend whose closest pal took his own life last year.

Much-loved university graduate Fidell Brown died as a result of suicide on his 30th birthday in August last year .

And now in his memory, Ryan Quick along with friends, will be taking part in a walk to raise funds to help people struggling with their mental health.

Fidell grew up in Deane, attending St Ethelbert's CE Primary School in Deane before going on to Mount St Joseph School. He studied in Liverpool and worked as surveyor, which took him to London for a while.

Ryan said:"I grew up with Fidell, I have known him since I was two or three, our mums knew each other.

"He moved to London for work and had lived in Manchester, but he always kept his roots back home in Bolton. Even when he was in London he would keep in touch with everyone,"

"Fidell was such a lovely lad, I know everyone says that when someone has died, but he genuinely was. Everyone who knew him loved him."

He added: "As a young person you would never think you will be burying your best friend, someone you have you have grown up with .

"Myself and other close friends are just devastated. We have known Fidell our whole lives, and so not to have him around , not be able to share our own lives with him is so difficult.

"It is still raw, it has not been a year since he died."

The memorial walk will take in the Yorkshire Three Peaks on Saturday with all money raised going to mental health charity Mind.

Ryan, who is a Unison caseworker and organiser for the Bolton branch, said: "We wish we were not having to do it but it should be a good event to raise awareness in Fidell's memory.

"I think charities like this are vital, especially now as people are dealing with massive changes, the way they have had to work, the way they have socialised and not seeing family and friends.

"Fidell was really struggling with the fact he was in London and his nan was up in Bolton when everything went into lockdown, indefinitely at first when no one knew what was going to happen.

"It did have a toll on him- I'm not saying that was the overall reason why he ultimately end his own life but I know did have an impact on him."

Ryan said the walk would not only raise vital funds, but just as importantly raise awareness and urge people to talk to charities such as Mind or their GP or open up to friends and family without fear or causing alarm or being judged.

Fidell's friends say that he, like most people kept his pain hidden and always put his family and friends first before himself, giving "joy and happiness to each and everyone of his friends and family".

They say not a day goes by without Fidell being in their thoughts

"If we could encourage people to speak out whether it be to family or friends or whether it be getting an appointment with your GP, if we can encourage anybody and it saves somebody's live then one life saved from suicide is more than we could ask for by doing this," said Ryan.

The friends set themselves a target of £1,000 but that has been exceeded with more than £6,000 raised to date and the fundraising page is still open.

To donate in Fidell's memory, set up by friend Pheobe Sammon visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/p-sammon