Memorial bench ‘nice way to remember Lee’

FRIENDS of a Dundee man who took his own life plan to create a permanent memorial to him in the West End.

Lee Welsh died last month and the 27-year-old’s family is now campaigning for better mental health care provision.

Lee’s close friend Gary Shields intends to purchase a bench in memory of the talented musician.

Gary said: “Not everyone is comfortable with going up to visit a grave, so it’s somewhere you could go and have a bite to eat or a cup of tea.

“If it’s a nice day, Phil and Lesley (Lee’s parents) could go up with Poppy, Lee’s daughter, and have a picnic. They could go there and be with Lee.

“It’s a nice way to remember him. It’s something to keep us going.”

Gary said he was considering a number of ways to remember his friend, including organising a football match.

“I had a friend who recommended a DJ and he’s offered to do a disco and race night,” he added.

“Tickets are going to go on sale for it next week.”

A fundraising page was set up in the wake of Lee’s death and so many donations have poured in from members of the public that it has already exceeded its target.

More than £4,000 has now been raised after a £3,000 target was initially set and the timescale of the page had to be extended to accommodate the levels of generosity.

Lee’s parents have thanked members of the public for helping raise the “brilliant” amount, which will be used to help meet funeral costs.