A MENTAL health awareness night in memory of a Newport mother who died in tragic circumstances raised £2,600 for charity.

Melissa Kirk, of Caerleon Road, Newport, organised the Christmas charity night at The Ferns in Lliswerry Road, Newport in memory of her mother, Joanne Beaumont.

The mum-of-three, 47, took her own life on Mother’s Day this year after a long battle against bipolar and depression.

More than 100 people attended the event in aid of Newport Mind on Friday, December 8, which included an auction, entertainments and buffet.

Mrs Kirk said she is determined to raise awareness about mental health.

She said: "The event showed how many people mental health does affect.

"We had people at the event that I had never meet before, people who suffer with mental health issues everyday, people who use Newport minds services on a day to day basis, and people who have been affected by losing a loved one to suicide just like my family.

"I know my mother would be very proud and happy that we are trying to help people in the same situation."

The 27-year-old said she hopes the event will encourage people suffering mental health issues to come forward.

She added: "By doing this event I wanted my mother’s suicide to be left on a positive not a negative and I feel like I have achieved that.

"I wanted to show how mental health is not everything.

"There is still a person inside and this time this person was my mother, the most loving, caring lady I have ever met, my queen."

A statement on Newport Mind's official Facebook page stated: "Newport Mind would like to say a huge thank you to Melissa Kirk for organising the mental health Christmas charity night.

"Thank you for raising a lot of awareness about mental health and for raising so much money for Newport Mind."