THE devastated family of a much-loved teenager who took her own life have set up a mental health charity in her memory to help other young people.

Nineteen-year-old Lucy Candlish was found dead in a wooded area in Consett after leaving her family home nearby three days earlier.

Her family hopes Lucy’s Legacy will be able to support young people who are struggling with their mental health before it is too late.

It will be run by Lucy’s two brothers and two sisters and they have already raised almost £4,000.

Lucy’s sister, Beverley, said: “We have set up the charity so Lucy will not have gone in vain.

“If we can save one person we have done her proud. It is keeping us busy and making us think about her.

“It is keeping her memory alive. She was such lovely person. It is so sad and such a shame.”

The Northern Echo:

Lucy was a talented hairdresser and make up artist

The eye in the logo for the Lucy’s Legacy website was created by Lucy, who was a talented artist and represents her passion for art and looking out for others.

The charity will be for people aged 18-25 in County Durham, and support them through a buddy volunteer service.

An inquest, which was opened at Crook Civic Centre, heard Lucy was found hanged in Fawcett Park, Consett, on February 3.

Lucy, who went to St Bede’s School in Lanchester, trained as a hairdresser but was working as carer providing palliative care in Consett.

She was popular and her death has devastated her friends and family.

Beverley, 38, who lives in Gateshead, said: “It is hard. We are close and have been helping each other as a family. That has been a blessing.

“She was auntie to my two kids and they doted on her. They thought the world of her. It is hard for them.

“But it is devastating to think that a young girl at 19 thought that this was the way out.

“Reality will not hit until after the funeral.”

The Northern Echo:

Lucy Candlish was popular with family and friends  

The service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Blackhill, at 1pm on Wednesday, February 24.

Lucy will be in a pink coffin and arrive at the church in a white horse-drawn carriage before she is buried at Blackhill Cemetery.

Covid-19 restrictions mean the service will be limited to a small gathering of close family and friends, but people are welcome to pay their respects by lining the streets before the funeral.

Her friends have also suggested bringing pink flowers to the roadside tribute and lighting a candle in celebration of Lucy’s life.

Beverley said: “We are limited to 30 people at the church but people can line the streets as long as they maintain social distancing.

“Everyone is wearing pink, so, in her memory, everyone will have something pink on on the day.”

To support Lucy’s Legacy click here