Ravi was always smiling as a kid and was remembered by friends as an intelligent, sweet and modest guy. Into music, films and keeping fit, he had his whole life ahead of him. But in his late teens he developed schizophrenia and his life changed forever. Diagnosed more than 20 years ago as a young man, when there was little else offered besides medication, it was too difficult to acknowledge that he had a mental illness.

Over the following years he went through cycles of coming off his meds, resulting in psychosis and periods of depression. His appearance and personality changed dramatically and it was hard to remember the boy and young man who pulled silly faces and smiled so much.

He tried so hard to fight the illness which had taken over his life, becoming a vegan and giving up alcohol and smoking. But even though talking therapies and more holistic support became available, he just couldn’t open up enough to take advantage of these other life lines.

Perhaps it was too late when these other therapies came and he’d become too isolated, or perhaps the stigma of mental health was too much for him to bear. After another stint in hospital, he seemed so weary of his struggle and he took his own life. Despite our sadness we hope he is now finally at peace.

Even though he’d been ill for more than half his life, the things that made him so likable as a young man, were still evident right until the end. Someone who was kind, generous and a gentle soul. A beloved son, brother and uncle, he will be missed by all of us.

We want the money raised to help others whose lives could be changed and improved. We want the stigma of mental illness to be lifted and for those affected to feel that they can come forward and seek help.