The family of a much-loved Vale teenager are holding a charity night to mark what would have been his 21st birthday – more than three years after he tragically took his own life.
Lee Stuart’s loved ones have organised the event to honour the 17-year-old’s memory while raising money for 24 hour suicide prevention and crisis charity Chris’ House, which has supported the family.
It will take place on October 14 – the date Lee should have been celebrating turning 21.
His aunt Lynne McKay told the Lennox Herald the event, which sold out in just three days, will see more than 270 people come together to remember the tragic teen and raise vital funds.
She said: “This is something Lee would have wanted. He would have wanted a party with all his friends and family.
“It’s been very emotional organising it and it’s the biggest thing we’ve had to organise between ourselves as a family but it’s also kept us going. It will be a celebration of his life.
“It’s kept us busy, trying to make it as perfect as possible and enjoyable for everyone going along.
“It still feels very raw. Suicide is just something very complex and difficult to get your head around because you always have the whys and the ifs. They are always there.
“We do our best to cope day to day. He is never out of our thoughts and we talk about him every day. We just wish things were so different.
“He was such a beautiful boy. His loss has been massive. We wonder what he would be doing now. My sister has to think about this all the time, whether he would have got married and had kids one day, what kind of life we would have enjoyed with him.
“You’re left with this emptiness which doesn’t go away.”
Lynne’s sister is Lee’s mum Lizzi, who previously told the Lennox her son showed no warning signs before taking his life.
Described as having “the world at his feet”, Lee was a typical 17-year-old who had appeared to have had a normal day and even texted friends and arranged to meet them 20 minutes before he was found dead at home on May 14, 2019.
Lizzi has been tirelessly campaigning for more mental health education in schools since, while Lynne has been training to become a therapist at Wishaw-based Chris’ House, which has supported the family.
Lynne continued: “Chris’ House is a 24-hour crisis centre. People in crisis are told to come along to get support. There are no long waiting lists. Their service is incredible.
“I am a volunteer now there. I started training to be a therapist. I’m trying to do something positive.
“Through this, I’ve noticed there seems to be more men coming to the forefront for help which is really lovely to see but I’m still of the view that there’s not enough being done in schools.
“I know just now that some primary and secondary schools are getting therapists but it’s not happening everywhere and I don’t believe it should matter where you live.
“I know therapists who are going between five and six schools and have a waiting list of 200 people.”
Lynne’s cousin James White will kick off the start of the fundraising by completing a 21-mile walk from Lee’s birth place at Glasgow Royal Infirmary to his resting place at the Vale of Leven Cemetery on October 1.
The charity night will then take place just under two weeks later at Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel.
Renton actress Gayle Telfer Stevens will host the night and there will be entertainment from Alexandria singer Alannah Wright, DJ George Bowie, Zander Nation and saxophonist Gordon Bowie.
Lynne said: “None of the entertainers are charging us for their time which is amazing and means all the money raised can go to charity.”
A raffle and auction will also take place on the night, with prizes including a painting by renowned Alexandria artist Ross Muir, Robbie Williams tickets, Jet2 flights, a champagne loch cruise and signed shirts and stadium tours donated by Rangers and Celtic.
Lynne added: “We’re really grateful to everyone for their incredible support.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the fundraiser can visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lynne-mckay9
Anyone affected by the issues raised in this article can call the Samaritans for confidential support.
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