Friends raise £1,200 in tribute to Lee
HUNDREDS of youngsters are expected to attend the funeral of a schoolboy who died after being hit by a train.
Friends of Lee Ridgway have already raised more than £1,200 for a suicide prevention charity and are planning a benefit gig in his memory.
Lee, 16, was found dead on the tracks near Bramhall railway station at 1am on August 29 - three days after the youngster had received his GCSE results.
Lee’s family have confirmed his funeral will be held at Stockport Crematorium today followed by a celebration of his life at The Village Hotel in Cheadle.
Those planning to attend have been asked to wear brightly coloured clothes. Donations will be towards PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide instead of flowers.
A JustGiving page with details of a memorial gig has been set up by Lee’s friends in aid of the same charity.
Organisers plan to also remember Stockport teen Elliot Ward, who took his own life aged 15 in 2013, at the same event.
Writing on the JustGiving page, organiser Luke Appleby said: “Both lads were incredibly funny and always tried their best to put others before themselves
“They will be forever missed and forever in our hearts.
“In the meantime, whilst I organize the gig any donations would mean the world to me and all those affected by the loss of both lads.”
More than 60 people have made donations totalling £1,258.51 towards PAPYRUS since the page was set up.
A date and a venue for the gig is expected to be confirmed over the next week.
A spokesman for PAPYRUS welcomed the donations from Lee’s friends and family.
He said: “Importantly they are helping to raise awareness that there is vital help available to young people who may be distressed.
“Our HOPELineUK helpline services provide support and advice to young people who feel they are not coping, as well as others who may be concerned about a young person they know.
“Talking about suicide can seem scary but silence and stigma are preventing people seeking help.”
People can donate to the JustGiving page at: justgiving.com/fundraising/Luke-Appleby3
For advice about suicide prevention call HOPELineUK 0800 068 41 41 or text 07786 209 697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.