On 29th October 2017 we lost Dom, our beloved son and little brother to Greg. He was 17 years old, was a talented and beautiful young man full of potential. He was a gifted singer, artist, baker and a loyal and loving friend, son and brother who would dearly have loved to be here to fulfil his dreams for life. He was looking forward to going to university or art college and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends and family. We know from his messages to us that in his healthy mind he so wanted to live but tragically his social anxiety which is a severe and little understood mental illness got the better of him.
In memory of Dom we would like to help others by raising as much as possible for the RNLI who searched with such dedication and compassion; Papyrus, the UK national charity, which is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, and The Wave Project, which helps young people reduce anxiety and improve emotional health through surfing.
We will live forever with the knowledge that, if only Dom had found a way to tell us how he felt, or a more effective clinical diagnostic tool had been available, then we might still have our beautiful son here. We are so proud of his achievements in the short time he was with us and hope that you will remember him and then go on to live your lives to the fullest as he would have so loved to have been able to do. If you suffer from anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts please tell someone. These feelings do pass and can be treated. There is so much loving help in the world but silence is deadly. Please be generous and help us to reach others before it is too late for them. We would not wish this grief on anyone and know that Dom would want us to help others in need.