INSTEAD of asking for presents for his 21st birthday, a selfless man is urging wellwishers to donate to a charity fund in memory of his best friend who committed suicide.

Jay Dyson, 20, of Satanita Road, Westcliff, set up a JustGiving page to raise cash for mental health charity Mind as a tribute to friend and aspiring musician Ewan Lane, who took his own life in November.

“I was thinking, what could I do for my birthday that would be different?” said Mr Dyson, who celebrates his 21st birthday on April 27. “As I get older, I feel that I don’t want for as much. I wanted to do something selfless instead.

“I want to bring more awareness for mental health, particularly for men. Suicide is the number one killer for men under 45 and it’s important we can talk about it.”

Jay had known Ewan since they were babies, as his mum used to babysit Ewan.

Jay went on to attend Our Lady of Lourdes and St Thomas More High School for Boys, whilst Ewan was a student at Chalkwell School and Westcliff High School for Boys. However, the pair remained very close over the years.

When he died, Ewan had been training to be a music teacher in Cardiff. He had done some teacher training at Northwick Park School in Canvey, where his mother Emma Lane, is headteacher.

Paying tribute, Jay said: “Ewan was an example to follow by, the purest embodiment of talent, passion and creativity I have ever seen.

“Ewan had moments of feeling down but I had no idea that he had been depressed just before he died. It took everybody by surprise, it was such a shock. With boys, all too often the emotions are kept in until it’s too late.”

Jay said his best friend has always been “a champion” for mental health. He added: “Ewan was always very passionate about funding for mental health.

“I think he would have been very proud of me if he were here today.”

Jay only expected to raise about £200 pounds through his fund, and is “amazed” to have already smashed the £1,000 mark.

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-dyson4