A CHARITY founded in memory of a young man from Colchester who took his own life has marked fours year since his death.

The Charlie Watkins Foundation was set up in 2017 after the death of Charlie Watkins, 22.

Mr Watkins, who appeared as a contestant on ITV dating show Take Me Out before his death, was a criminology graduate from York University but was from Colchester.

Charlie’s twin brother Harry set up the foundation with their father Tim.

It has since worked with a number of charities, supporting efforts in ensuring mental health challenges are addressed in young people across the country.

Today marks four years since Charlie sadly took his own life.

Harry and Charlie tragically lost their mother to cancer at nine years of age and it is thought Charlie never fully recovered from the loss.

Shortly before his death, Charlie had filmed for the popular ITV dating show Take Me Out.

Charlie’s episode was broadcast a month after his passing, with the permission of his family.

Charlie Watkins

Charlie Watkins

Harry said: “It’s a bittersweet day for us.

"Our foundation has made so much progress in three and a half years.

"I have always said that if we could help just one person, it was all worth it, and I know that we have exceeded that.

“Charlie was such a character and I miss him dreadfully. But his legacy lives on in the foundation and I’m so proud that we are able to remember him in this way.”

Charlie Watkins and twin brother Harry

Charlie Watkins and twin brother Harry

Within its first year, the foundation worked with Mid and North East Essex Mind on the online 1:1 platform Chat with Charlie, which was run by trained volunteers for the University of Essex and Writtle University College.

Once the three-year project came to an end, the foundation looked towards other partnerships, including charity the Youth Enquiry Service (YES).

YES provides an informal service for young people between the ages of 11 and 25 within Colchester and Tendring, Essex who are facing difficulties in their lives.

Harry added: “The funding we have received through [the foundation] means that we can help YES provide a new project to support young people to access and navigate the right support they need.

“We were keen to support a charity close to home and YES seemed like a perfect fit for us.”

The foundation is also working with UK wide charity Student Minds, which empowers students and members of the university community to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.

To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cwf