The mum of a 15-year-old boy who took his own life has spoken out about the moment a stranger sent her a heartwarming message about her young son after his death.
Beloved teenager Aaron Main was found dead at his home in Pembroke Dock, Wales, on April 13. His mum, Nicky, said there had been a few occasions before his death when her son had mentioned not wanting to "be a burden to anyone" and not wanting to "be around anymore". Each time she had told him how much his family loved him.
Shortly after Aaron's death, Nicky received a Facebook message from a stranger. "I know you don't know me but I thought I would reach out to you," it read. "I've been going to the gym for a while now and noticed your son would always be there."
Aaron was brother to Ross, 30, Ben, 25, and Lauren, 28, and uncle to Arthur, Reuben, Zara and Norah (Main Family)The woman who sent the message had been chatting to Aaron at the gym just hours before he died. "I noticed straight away that he was such a lovely and kind-hearted boy," she wrote. "He told me a little bit about himself and was looking forward to the summer and was honestly so nice. We had a joke and he really brightened up my day. He was a credit to you and your family."
Nicky told Wales Online that the message summed up her son's personality. "He made people laugh, he was loving, he was sensitive, he was an all-round good boy," she said. "The person in the gym couldn't tell there was anything upsetting him. He masked it very well."
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Following the Henry Tudor School pupil's death there was a flood of messages from friends and family members paying tribute to, as one person put it, "the most caring, charming and polite boy I’ve had the pleasure of knowing", and in the words of another, a "beautiful, kind, polite young man". A family friend started a GoFundMe page which has so far raised £3,271 to help with funeral costs.
Aaron's brother Ben, 25, described him as "a very bright and empathetic person", adding: "I always felt he could relate to people and how they were doing. Just like the person he met in the gym on Saturday, he cheered them up. He would get along with anyone and really brighten up their day." Nicky added that much of his charm came from his "very random" sense of humour. "He would come out with daft things and you'd think, 'Where did that come from?'"
Aaron did not have a diagnosis of depression or any other mental health issue. Nicky believes there was an element of embarrassment behind him being reluctant to talk about his problems. "He wouldn't let me take him to the doctor's," she said. "He would fight it and say, 'You can make an appointment but I'm not going.' He'd been having counselling at school. His last session was the day before he passed away.
"Each time that he said he didn't want to be around anymore, I talked to him and told him that was not the answer. I am so glad that when I went to work on a Saturday morning I gave him a big hug and kiss, and told him how much I loved him. That always used to bug him, and he'd go: 'I know you do.' I am so glad I made a nuisance of myself that morning."
Aaron was brother to Ross, 30, Ben, 25, and Lauren, 28, and uncle to Arthur, Reuben, Zara and Norah. He aspired to be a welder like Ross, whom he idolised and had been planning to start work experience soon. Aaron was close with his family and would often call Ben for "girl-related advice".
One of Nicky's favourite memories with Aaron was a holiday to Disneyland Paris around two years ago. "He loved going away," she said. "He loved day trips and he wanted to move to London or Cardiff when he was old enough. He liked the bustle of the city, the shops and getting nice clothes. He would nick Ross' North Face coat, and when he was wearing that he thought he was the main man."
Aaron loved his Xbox and would speak to friends using a headset while playing shooter games. "He was very verbal on that," Nicky laughed. "He couldn't hear how loud he was being, although the whole estate could."
In a message to those who know someone struggling with mental health, Nicky said: "Take everything they say seriously. Rather than saying everything will be okay, talk about it, because sometimes they won't talk about it by themselves. Try to get them some help, anything."
Family friend Lesley Ryan wrote on the GoFundMe page: "[Aaron] was the most quiet, kind and caring boy you could ever meet. A child with his whole future ahead of him. We as a community are all devastated by the loss of Aaron. I would like to help to give Aaron the memorial he deserves, to honour Aaron’s memory and to say any last goodbyes.
I am currently asking for donations to help towards the cost of Aaron's funeral to make everything that little bit easier. There are not enough words to fully express the heartfelt thanks for the prayers, love, and sympathy you have given to Aaron’s family during this time of loss."
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*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
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