12 years of friendship is a lot to cover so I'll try and keep it brief. I met Charlie on my first day at Secondary School in 2009, breaking register order and sitting next to him just because we had the same name. We pretty much hit it off from the start, all throughout school we stayed close mates. We had the same humour and hobbies, spending most of the time outside of lessons together just to chat. There was a time when Charlie and I used to visit a local park in Beckenham to grab a drink and go for a walk. We did this for years. It was so simple, but now it's such a strong memory, especially now I am older and appreciate the luxury of quality time. We'd help each other with school work until Charlie started focusing more on his Maths than anything else. He'd always push himself to be the best, give everything 110%. Math eventually meant something to him when he decided he wanted to be a Civil Engineer. Then he started learning stuff that can only be described as hieroglyphics. But no matter how stressed he'd get about doing his absolute best, I can only remember Charlie with a smile on his face or laughing, normally at his own joke.

When we left Langley we stayed in touch, although we were both doing completely different things. There were times we didn't talk much, but that didn't matter. The bond we had made in Langley made me positive that Charlie was going to be a friend for life. I thought that no matter what happened in our lives Charlie would be there for me, and he was. Me and Charlie were solid, the times we spent together are some of the best memories of my life. I honestly didn't think I needed anyone else at times, even though we both had girlfriends early on, we still made time for each other. Charlie couldn't have been more loyal, I could really learn a lot with how attentive he was. Everyone that got close enough with Charlie would know how he would be able to listen and remember all the little things you'd say to him, helping you out despite what he might have been going through at that time. He couldn't have been more selfless, always bigging me up about my achievements and making me feel good about myself. We would thrive on each other succeeding. He was my hype man, and I was his. I never said it to him directly because it would damage my pride too much, but he was definitely a better gamer than me. We most likely spent a full year's worth of our time as friends playing PlayStation.

Charlie was a perfect example of a doer, he was consistently up to something, either studying, planning the next big event, working extra shifts or going out for a beer. It hurts that he's gone and then it hurts all over again when I remember what Charlie stood for. I could be angry at Charlie but he doesn't deserve any anger, there was enough pain that he endured day in day out towards the end. I only want to celebrate Charlie when I talk about him, his values of being loyal and kind will be carried through me everyday.

Charlie has left me with mates that I would've never have met otherwise, there are memories we all have that were organised by Charlie, he was the events manager and he was the soul of the party. I will never forget you, you've taught me so much, even now I'm learning because of you, you have bettered me as a person and will continue doing so for the rest of my life. Love you mate, you've now got me doing a bloody marathon in your name so hopefully I can use some of your grit and determination to get in done in a respectable time! ❤️

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is the suicide prevention charity that Charlie's family chose when organising their own events in Charlie's name. They have loads of tools and resources to help people find the support they need, including a life-saving helpline for people who can’t see a way forward, have lost someone to suicide, or are worried about their friends or loved ones.

£12.20 is enough to fund one potentially life-saving call. If you can please donate anything at all towards this Charity, I know they have the ability to change your money into impactful help for others that struggle with mental health.

Thank you!