Stockport Express

Mum in motorbike tribute to tragic son

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A MUM whose son took his own life after being told he would have to wait months for ‘life-saving’ psychother­apy is taking to the road to raise cash in his memory.

Tyler Smith died after falling from Stockport Viaduct in October 2014 – the 19-year-old had been discharged from Stepping Hill Hospital six hours previously after taking an overdose and was sent home despite making threats to kill himself.

His mum, Deborah Cooper, has since been campaignin­g for improvemen­ts to mental health and in January this year urged the government to pump more cash into hard-hit services or ‘risk losing more vulnerable young people.’

Now she is planning to undertake a very special journey – from Stockport to Blackpool – on Tyler’s motorbike to raise money for mental health charity Manchester Mind.

To honour his love for his bike Deborah has had it restored and passed her bike test, ready to set off on the 62-mile journey on Sunday (September 3).

The bike, a Yamaha 125 SR, has also been customised with Tyler’s name on the tank and a personal registrati­on plate that reads ‘TY51 DUB’ in tribute to his love for Dubstep music.

Supporting Deborah will be family, friends and around 20 fellow bikers, who will gather at The Manchester pub in Blackpool before riding along the promenade for a ballon release.

She said: “I’ve decided to do this to help raise awareness of mental illness, raising money for a valuable charity and also helping to keep Tyler’s memory alive.”

To find out more or make a donation visit justgiving. com/Deborah-Cooper13.

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●●Deborah Cooper

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