A memorial weekend for a popular figure in the world of motorsport has helped to raise more than £25,000 for a national suicide prevention charity.
The family of Ashley Todd from Cleator Moor, near Whitehaven, say they have been deeply touched by the generosity and want every penny to help to save lives.
Ashley, age 42, lived in St Bees with his wife and two teenage daughters.
His wife, daughters and all his family were left devastated when he tragically took his own life in April earlier this year.
His father, Myles Todd, said: “He had been passionate about karting from the age of nine. He’d built his own team and was well known locally and nationally.
“We knew the idea of having a memorial weekend at the Cumbria Kart Racing Club at Rowrah would be well supported but we had no idea the place would be absolutely packed with so many people wanting to pay tribute to Ashley.
“I suppose we’ll have to learn to live with it but we will never, ever forget him.”
The memorial weekend in October, which included an auction, donations and karting club contributions, raised £25,409 for the national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
A cheque was collected on the charity’s behalf by Andy Airey from Morland in the Eden Valley. Mr Airey, who is one of the 3 Dads Walking, lost his daughter Sophie to suicide in 2018.
READ MORE: Tributes to much-loved family man Ashley Todd following inquest
“The money raised by Ashley’s memorial weekend will enable PAPYRUS to continue their vital work saving young lives across the UK. It’s all about encouraging people to talk openly and smash the stigma around suicide.
“The more we can get people taking about suicide and suicide prevention the more lives we will save,” he said.
Ashley Todd was the owner of AMT Racing Ltd. Following his funeral, which was attended by around 800 people, his family asked that donations of £1,600 also went to PAPYRUS.
PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.
READ MORE: Two Cumbrian dads united by suicide raise money for Papyrus
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