A mum has spoken of her heartbreak more than a year after her son's unexpected death.
Neil Laidler, from Gateshead, was a loving family man with a "heart of gold". He tragically passed away in May last year.
Paying tribute to her son, Heather said: "Neil's death is all still very raw.
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"We weren't able to celebrate him properly before, being in the midst of the lockdown.
"He was such a character, he was a big personality and loved a party."
Heather added: "Neil had a heart of gold who made people smile and loved his family.
"We miss him every day. It has been a really difficult year."
In memory of her 30-year-old son, Heather has raised £3,500 for mental health charity If U Care Share.
She raised the cash by holding a "celebration of his life" and even dressed up as a member of 1980s band Bananarama
Heather wanted to use the event, held at the Clav in Dunston, to remember Neil and thank the charity for their support.
She said: "It was a very emotional evening but it was for a fantastic charity - so I tried to keep myself right.
"We raised £3,500. Lots of that was from Alan Shearer's signed shirt and Anthony Joshua's boxing gloves."
Heather added: "The charity is basically keeping me here. They have been such a support with everything.
"They're amazing helping with the everyday things that you sometimes struggle to keep up with.
"They're always offering information, helping me to keep it real."
Heather, who works for Gateshead Council, said she was delighted to raise the cash for a cause which "made a real difference".
"We wanted to do something to celebrate his life and raise funds for If U Care Share who are still there to support me," she added.
"This is about us giving a little bit back to a fantastic charity."
If U Care Share was set up by the County Durham family of Daniel O'Hare, becoming a registered charity in 2011.
It works to support people with their mental health, and "save lives, support communities and prevent suicide".
To find out more, visit ifucareshare.co.uk.
