FOLLOWING the tragic news of a 26-year old Carlisle man who took his own life, his family are now raising funds to donate to a local mental health charity in his name.

Darryl Parkin, who passed away on Friday (April, 15), showed no signs of feeling at his worst, evoking the importance of speaking out when struggling to deal with your mental health. 

Darryl's aunt, Molly Davy, described Darryl as popular, funny and very well liked in Carlisle. 

"Darryl and his family moved to Australia five years ago but he flew back just before Christmas because he wasn't really settling in but he hadn't shown any signs of not coping. 

"I had only seen him on the Wednesday, as we were sorting out his new flat, and he seemed absolutely fine," she said. 

News and Star: FAMILY: Darryl with his younger brother AshtonFAMILY: Darryl with his younger brother Ashton

Molly said Darryl's family had encouraged him to go to charity Offload - but he kept saying he was fine.  

"He was just so young, everyone's just feeling so guilty even though it's no-ones fault, I just can't bare to think what was going through his head at the time," she said. 

Molly set up a CrowdFunder to help Darryl's family fly back from Australia to see that Darryl is given a proper send-off, with all extra money raised going to Offload with the hopes of raising more awareness that help is out there for those struggling. 

The initial £2,000 target was succeeded within the first six hours and is currently standing at £5,570.

Offload is an independent male mental health charity which looks to 'bridge the gap between self and professional help'. 

Founder Liam Edmondson said:"Bereavement by suicide can have a significant impact on family, friends and the community. Therefore it's imperative all organisations involved in suicide prevention work together to intervene before the situation reaches crisis point. 

"Something as simple as offering a safe place where service users can have a pizza and a chat can make all the difference to someone's emotional well-being by being amongst others who are going through something similar," he said. 

The charity offers casual support sessions weekly on a Tuesday at The Lookout in Shady Grove, and the first and third Monday of every month at Greystone Community Centre - with all being welcomed. 

To donate to the Darryl Parkin fundraiser, click here

READ MORE: Offloading male mental health woes with Carlisle charity