KIND fundraisers have been praised after donating thousands of pounds to honour a friend who committed suicide 10 years ago.

A charity bash was held at Radcliffe Borough Football Club in memory of James Walsh, who was 26 years old when he killed himself in May 2005.

James had lived in Whitefield and worked as a mental health nurse at Prestwich Hospital.

Around 150 of James’ friends and family members attended on May 16, raising almost £4,700 for the charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

In the last decade, James’ parents Maggie Day and Tony Walsh have raised £60,000 for CALM, which was set up to prevent male suicide and offers support via a helpline and website as well as working to challenge the culture of men not seeking help when they need it.

Maggie, aged 60, said: “It was a really, really good night and it’s wonderful that everybody was able to get together 10 years on.

“All of James’ friends and family have always been there every time we have organised an event like this.

“Even though it can obviously be a very sad time for us, it’s good that we can get together and create something positive from that.”

Bury FC donated items of memorabilia for an auction, which also included a guitar donated by musician Liam Manton and signed by the cast of Coronation Street.

Friend Jason Rakha, of Carrbrook Terrace, Radcliffe, said: “Bury Football Club has been fantastic and local support has been second to none, so a massive thank you goes out to all that donated and made the night such a success.”

CALM is due to open a new centre in Manchester in June, and Maggie, a trustee of the charity, praised the important work they do.

Maggie, who runs Petite Fleur Florist in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, added: “13 men take their own lives every day in this country and CALM make a real difference in giving people the help and support they need.

“CALM always say to us that we have been very important in their history, because they were at rock bottom before we made our first big donations.

“Now they are a national charity with a lot of backers and they do so much important work.”