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The father of a schoolboy who took his own life in lockdown, has decorated his son's grave with festive lights as a moving tribute to his 'bright, clever and kind' boy this Christmas.
Matthew Mackell, a Year 12 pupil from Skinners' Kent Academy, was just 17 when he died in Dunorlan Park in May.
A memorial bench placed in the Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells, next to where Matthew was laid to rest, is now glowing with lights and candles as the family prepare for the first festive season since their world changed forever.
Two trees have also been planted in memory of the teen who loved maths and had dreams of becoming an accountant.
A Cherry Blossom stands near his headstone in the cemetery - a tribute to his favourite colour pink.
Matthew's father Michael Bond and younger brother Daniel said a prayer for Matthew while planting soil around a Red Oak tree which stands proud in Dunorlan Park near to where floral tributes and cards were left.
Mr Bond said: "The Cherry Blossom has really brought his grave together. A lot of people just get a headstone but Matty has also got a bench and a tree which makes it really special.
"The Red Oak will be massive and it will be nice to watch it grow over the years."
The trees were funded by a Just Giving page which raised more than £10,000 after being set up by neighbours.
The rest of the money was split between three charities, The Calm Zone, Papyrus, and Fegans, all of which work to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people who may be struggling.
Just £300 remains which Mr Bond hopes to share with Tommy's Rainbow Charity Trust, an organisation which has installed 'happy to chat' rainbow benches in Maidstone in memory of Tommy Thwaites, to encourage more people to talk.
Mr Thwaites, 25, died in November last year after he battled his demons for four years.
His family vowed to improve mental health services and mum Claire Fry hopes the ‘happy to chat’ bench and chairs unveiled at Freshlands Road, is the first step.
Mr Bond said: "When I heard about the benches I thought it was a lovely thing to do.
"I can never have Matthew back but the most important thing is to make sure it never happens to anyone else and these benches can help with that.
"He is always on my mind, when I wake up and when I go to sleep."
Matthew lived with his father, and two brothers Christopher, and Daniel, at their home in Sandhurst Road, Tunbridge Wells.
He was a popular pupil who was so loved in the school community, a reflective garden has been built in his memory at the school in Sandown Park.
Pupils can use the space to remember Matthew and receive support if they are feeling low.
A virtual fundraising concert organised by Skinners' is also taking place this evening to support Papyrus, a charity which works to prevent young suicides, and an organisation close to Mr Bond's heart.
In a note found in his diary, the 17-year-old had expressed how lockdown made him anxious about his exam results and what it meant for his future.
An investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) was launched following Matthew's death which looked into how police staff handled contact with the schoolboy who dialled 999 before taking his own life.
It follows a mandatory referral by the force.
This has now finished and the report findings are expected to be published in the next few weeks.
Mr Bond is urging anyone who may be struggling to seek help from The Calm Zone, Papyrus, and Fegans.
