THE family of a teenager who spent 19 days in the Royal Gwent Hospital’s critical care unit before he died, have donated almost £4,900 to help improve visitors’ facilities.

Sam Ashe was just 19 when he sought to take his own life on November 25 last year. The former Bassaleg School pupil died at the unit on December 14.

His family was with him throughout, and through their grief, decided to raise money to help make the unit’s family rooms and facilities comfortable for the relatives and friends of future patients.

“These facilities are very important. When you have a loved one in critical care, you need to stay close. You don’t want to have to leave,” said Sam’s father Wayne Ashe.

“For Sam’s funeral, we asked people to make donations in lieu of flowers, and a justgiving page was set up.”

In a statement accompanying the donation, Mr Ashe and Sam’s mother Jo Ashe said:

“We would to take this opportunity to thank all the consultants, doctors, nurses and staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital for all they did for our son.

“Sam was looked after by an incredible team and we will always be thankful to the care given to him.

“He was loved by all that met him and we will always remember his charm, his smile, his kindness and his handsome face.

“We are donating this money so that other families can have a comfortable place to visit and spend time when visiting their loved ones. The money was raised by his family, family friends, neighbours and his friends. We would like to thank all those people for their generous donations.”

Mr Ashe added that many people also donated to help set up a charity called 19 (nineteen.org.uk) the aim of which is to help young men to access support to cope with mental illness.

A website is being developed, but Mr Ashe said social media will be the main avenue for spreading the word.

Last week at the #justtalk young people’s mental health awareness event in Rogerstone, Mr Ashe spoke movingly of his son, and of the need for young people to be aware of, and to talk about, mental health issues.

He stressed that Sam had not fit the perceived “profile” of someone who is depressed, and had appeared to be living “a really good life” with good friends, a good job, a nice car.

“Outwardly he was a success, then the unthinkable happened,” said Mr Ashe.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/nineteen.org.uk/