A GRIEVING mother has marked the tenth anniversary of her son’s suicide by sending out a message to men that being silent is not being strong.

Maggie Day’s son James Walsh, known as Walshy, was 26 years old when he killed himself in May 2005.

James, who had three sisters, had been living in Whitefield and working as a mental health nurse at Prestwich Hospital.

Over the last 10 years, Maggie, together with James’ father Tony Walsh have raised £60,000 in his honour for the national charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

CALM was set up to prevent male suicide and offers support via a helpline and website, challenges the culture of men not seeking help when they need it, and pushes for changes to better prevent suicide.

Maggie owns Petite Fleur Florist in Bury Old Road, Prestwich, and is originally from Whitefield, but now lives in Middleton.

The 60-year-old said: “When it happened it was a huge shock for the family. It is something you never think about and do not realise how common it is until it happens to you. It is awful.

“CALM struggled for funds in its early days, and I was told if it had not been for our fundraising in James’ name it would have had to close.

“It is something that has to be talked about. A lot of these young men do not know what is wrong with them, and think they cannot speak about it.

“One of the CALM mottos is that being silent is not being strong.”

Around 150 of James’ friends and family will attend a charity night in his honour at Radcliffe Borough Football Club on May 16 and Maggie is appealing for businesses to donate raffle prizes.

Maggie added: “For the 10th anniversary of James’ death we wanted to do a special event. If we can raise between £3,000 and £4,000 I will be really chuffed.”

Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men aged 20 to 45 in England and Wales, with men accounting for 78 per cent of all suicides in 2013.

Helping to organise the event is family friend Jason Rakha, aged 32, of Carrbrook Terrace, Radcliffe.

The married father-of-three, who also has four stepchildren, has persuaded Bury FC to donate signed memorabilia for auction and is in talks with Scott Quigg and Kieran Tripper.

Jason, who works as a pressure systems inspector, said: “In the current climate with the stresses of money and the poor economy and the strains of everyday life, this subject has never been more relevant.

“We just want to let people know you are not on your own – there is help on the other end of the phone, or help will come to you.”

Any businesses which can donate items for raffle can e-mail maggie-day@hotmail.co.uk