A mother from Ysbyty Ystwyth is dyeing her hair to raise money for a charity, dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, after losing her son to suicide three years ago.

Linda Collins, 55, is raising money for PAPYRUS, a charity which believes “many young suicides can be prevented”, after losing her son, Thomas Evans, who would have been 23 on 8 April, to suicide.

Linda will be dying her hair the colours of PAPYRUS - blue and purple - on 1 April.

“I want to raise awareness of the aftermath suicide leaves,” Linda said.

“The last three years have been hell, I don’t remember the first two to be honest. It doesn’t seem to get easier.

“I was travelling down to Glangwili for help, but it was just a general bereavement councillor down there. My grief is very complex and I just didn’t get anywhere.

“There’s been an awful lot of suicides of young people in this area in the past few years. Thomas’ toxicology report was all clear, he was the happiest, kindest person ever. He didn’t have a worry in the world.

Linda said raising money gives her something else to “focus on”, but she is going a step further and undergoing training to enable her to help others: “I’ve got this itch all the time to raise money for PAPYRUS. They are also going to get me online to do a suicide prevention course, so I can build on it and get into the community to help.

“PAPYRUS has helped a lot of young people under 25. I did a sky dive a couple of years ago, because me, Thomas and my other son, Declan, are all frightened of heights.

“I did think of wing walking this year, but with coronavirus that can’t be done. I decided to dye my hair because Thomas would also point out if I had a grey hair. Since he’s been gone it’s become a mass of grey.”

Linda added: “I would like to say thank you to special friends and family of Thomas for all the love and support through the last years.

“I would also like to thank the hairdresser, from Loganberries, who’s going to dye my hair. Everywhere was chock-a-block but this young is coming to do it on her day off.”

PAPYRUS has published a parents’ guide, offering practical and professional advice to help break the silence around self-harm and suicide and encourage parents to talk to their children.

Kate Heneghan, PAPYRUS’ head of Wales said: “Parents should tell their child that help is available but they must not take it for granted that a young person can or will heed that advice. Parents need to offer extra layers of support and can really help a child by saying ‘come on, let’s get you the help you need right now’ and then reach out together.”

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus­-uk.org

To donate to Linda’s cause, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/linda-collins15