18^th May 2021 marked Andrew Gidney’s 23^rd birthday, and the launch of the Andrew Gidney Foundation in his name.

This article contains thoughts of the result of depression. In this day and age it is still stigmatised. The family and friends of Andrew live with this.

Andrew was a young man in his prime, heading towards a First-Class Computing Degree at Edge Hill University, when he suffered a depression that ended with him taking his own life. He was a creative, intelligent and caring young man, much loved by many friends and family. Ask anyone who knew him, and they will tell you of how kind and supportive he was.

He loved drawing and had a natural talent for it, as well as computers, being one of the authors of a paper on AI face recognition and building air-cooled computers for himself and with friends. He was an animal lover, and fan of the outdoors, often walking on the hills of Saddleworth.

His love of music was shared by his brother, Chris, who has fond memories of them travelling to an Above and Beyond rave party at Finsbury Park during the Summer before we lost him.

Andrew didn’t have a history of mental illness. Friends and family didn’t realise how depressed he’d become in the short time of 3/4 months, and it was difficult to tell when it began and why. For the last couple of years, we’ve been trying to find a way forward without Andrew. He was an incredible person with a huge heart, and we miss him dreadfully. His loss was likely to have been prevented with a decrease in stigma and easier, more acceptable access to medical services.

We feel now is the time to start doing good for local youths in his name and support them to live their lives to the full. We wish to benefit projects in the area he grew up in, Saddleworth, in particular projects that encourage creativity, computing skills and mental wellbeing in young people, as these were dear to Andrew’s heart.

Public Mental Health Children’s Services to date offer support until a child is 16. After their birthday, youths are seen in their eyes as adults, and enter a world of poorly supported services. A human brain fully matures at around the age of 25, so there’s a 9 year window when our children are deemed adult, although still maturing. In essence, our children are coping with major changes in their lives, such as going to University, securing a job, and maybe even having their own children, often without the support they need.

Any projects that could help to support youths with any of these pressures are very welcome to approach the Foundation.

All monies that are kindly donated are collected by the Andrew Gidney Foundation and will be available to encourage and support local projects that will benefit youths.

For more information, or to support the Foundation, please check out our JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/theandrewgidneyfoundation

And our Facebook Page here: www.facebook.com/AndrewGidneyFoundation

Friends are great to talk to and often you may find that they understand more than you think. Talking can help and being a good listener can help someone even more. If you feel you need to talk to someone else or need further support please ring the Samaritans on 116 123 , text SHOUT to 85258 ( a text support line), contact your GP and insist on an early appointment or call 111.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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