The heartbroken mum of a Scots teen who died suddenly at home has paid tribute to her ‘cheeky lad’.
Kaden Mcalpine was tragically pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to the property on Bank Row in Wick, Caithness, on Sunday morning.
The 18-year-old, who worked as an apprentice mechanic, has been hailed a ‘loving son, brother and friend’ to all who knew him.
Dozens of pals have rallied around his devastated mum, Lindsay Macdonald, and the rest of the family as they struggle to come to terms with his passing.
Paying tribute to her son, mum-of-six Lindsay Macdonald told the Daily Record: “Kaden was cheeky and very much a lad.
“All his life, everybody would make the comment that he always made an effort to look nice, smell nice and was always well mannered and polite.
“He packed a lot into his 18 years. He was so funny and so confident. He was so popular with girls and everybody just loved him.
“You didn’t know what he was going to say or do next. There’s just no one else like Kaden.”
A fundraising page has been set up to support his grieving family and to help cover the cost of his funeral.
A statement on the GoFundMe page reads: “This page is set up to help the family of Kaden McAlpine.
“All donations will go towards the funeral costs and give Kaden the best send off that he deserves and ease some of the burden, financially at least, for the family.
“Kaden, forever 18, was a loving son, brother and friend, Kaden is loved by many and will not be forgotten.
”All that's getting me through is planning his funeral because that's the last thing I'll ever be able to do for him.”
Paying tribute on Facebook, one relative wrote: “I have no words for the feeling of loss I have right now. I’ll cherish every fun, crazy memory we have together.
“You weren’t just family, you were one of my very best friends too. I’ll love and miss you always, flight high.”
Another said: “Rest easy bro. Can’t believe I’m writing this. Can’t stop crying. Life can be so sad at times.”
A third added: “Still can’t get my head around it. I’ll be forever grateful I got to call u my best friend, you’ll forever be in my heart.”
Enquiries into the circumstances of Kaden’s tragic death remain ongoing, Police Scotland have confirmed.
A force spokesperson said: “We were made aware of concern for an 18-year-old man at a property at Bank Row in Wick shortly after 11.45am on Sunday, March 20.
“Emergency services attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The death is currently being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”
To donate to the fundraiser, please click here.
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