Rob Craig had everything going for him. Family, friends, a partner who loved him, and an active lifestyle which revolved around the sport he loved and had played for most of his life - ice hockey.
In a split second his life changed. The 30-year-old hit his head on a goalpost during a game, and his mental health visibly deteriorated. His moods got worse and worse.
Just three weeks after the accident, he was found dead in an abandoned mill in Ramsbottom. Rob, who played for Wyre Seagulls and Blackburn Falcons teams, had taken his own life.
For those left behind there was a world of painful emotion. Shock, grief - and guilt. Among those affected was Sam Calderbank, who had known Rob for 20 years.
The men worked together at a greengrocer, where, after a few weeks off sick, Rob had been due to return. And when Rob didn't show up for work on the day as expected, Sam had an awful feeling that something was wrong.
For years after the June 2017 tragedy, in a stark illustration of the devastating impact suicide can have, Sam blamed himself.
"I know it’s not my fault, but he told me an awful lot more than anyone else," Sam says. "I did have my suspicions on that day about how he felt.”
Recalling the moment he learned of Rob's death, Sam, 34, told the Manchester Evening News : “I think I already knew just because of things that had happened that day .
"He said he was coming back to work that day – he was off for a few weeks because of depression and had a doctor's note. He said he felt fine but instead of coming back to work, he didn’t."
Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 50. Inspired by Rob's memory, Sam now wants to help other young men in crisis.
“It’s very difficult," he added. "Personally, I felt like I could have stopped him. Looking back in hindsight – probably not. I punished myself for a long time; for maybe two years I blamed myself.
“I would say he struggled with his mental health for about 12 months, but looking back, we realised it was probably longer than that. No one knew about it; at the time he had been quite withdrawn."
In September, Sam, from Middleton, will cycle 874 miles from John o’ Groats to to Lands' End in Scotland before going on to climb the highest mountain in every country in the UK.
The challenge is in aid of Andy’s Man Club, a charity committed to reducing the number of suicides among young men. “I am a bit nervous,” Sam continued. “With the summer holiday and kids, it’s hard to find time to get out, especially for more than a couple of hours.
“I’ve done big trips before; I’ve cycled round the coast of Wales and last year I cycled to Cornwall and back on my own. But this one is slightly longer compared to what I’ve done before.” Sam predicts the challenge will take around 20 days to complete.
Rob's aunt, Adriana Craig, told the M.E.N Rob's loved ones had been shocked at his deterioration. The 52-year-old, from Radcliffe, said: “"He had an accident playing hockey and that seemed to change his behaviour and he went into depression. He was never the same.
"It wasn't a serious injury to that degree, I think it just shocked everyone how downhill he went."
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