THE sun shone for an afternoon of activities in memory of an "amazing" young man who took his life on Christmas Eve.

Nathan Tomkins, from Earls Croome, near Malvern, died aged just 22 on Saturday, December 24, after suffering with depression.

Mr Tomkins, who had two brothers, Matt and Jack, was known as 'Tank' and played for Upton Rugby Club.

The keen sportsman was a former pupil of Hanley Castle High School, where on Friday afternoon students held a fundraising event in his memory – with proceeds going to mental heath charity Mind.

The festivities ended the school's Mental Health Awareness Week, during which Lucy Alexander – whose son, Felix, killed himself after being bullied online – spoke to students.

Matt Tomkins, aged 29, who was at the event, said: "It is brilliant. [It is] a lasting legacy in his name which will help other people."

Speaking about Nathan, his younger brother, he said: "He knew everybody, whether you were one month old or 100 years old he knew how to make you happy. [He had a] big smile, he could make people laugh.

"He was fighting depression for a long time. At home he was something different. You could never get him to talk about it.

"He obviously thought he had no other way out."

Mr Tomkins, who lives in Earls Croome, said his family is setting up the Nathan Tomkins Trust to raise money for and awareness of mental illness.

"There are always people there to listen," said Mr Tomkins. "It is about making people see it is not bad to talk about, because if you don't it is a matter of life and death."

The afternoon's festivities – which included a 'soak the teacher' session, Tank's Rowing Challenge and a chance to meet newborn lambs – were organised by the school's Charity Committee.

Michelle Wheldon, assistant head of sixth form, taught Nathan when he was a student at Hanley Castle.

She said: "[He was] the most kind and caring – he had a smile that could light up a room in seconds. He was an amazing student as well.

"It was a huge shock, a real shame and tragic loss. We just wanted to do something for the family in his memory.

"We decided to hold a mental health awareness week because it is something that a lot of our students are touched by.

"It is good to talk about things, do not bottle it up. It is not something to be ashamed of."

It is hoped the event will become an annual fixture in the school's calendar.

An inquest into Mr Tomkins' death will be held at Worcestershire Coroner's Court in Stourport on Wednesday, May 10, at 10am.

For more information about Mind visit mind.org.uk