AT THE beginning of the year, Tim Davies' eldest son took his own life.

Now the Winchester resident is striving to raise £100,000 for suicide prevention as well as respite care for families in a similar position to himself.

George Davies was just 28-years-old when he died.

In his memory Tim will donate £70,000 to the suicide prevention charity Papyrus, which also runs the 'Hopeline' helpline.

With the remaining £30,000, he will provide people who have lost a family member to mental health with 'escape days' on the Solent.

Tim, managing director at AVRO Yachting Ltd, will take them sailing.

He told the Chronicle: "While writing to particular friends, who loved George, and with whom he sailed a lot, they crept up on me, so I stopped, drew breath and drove my mind to that “happy place”, and was again able to focus on what I was saying while the words on the screen regained their focus, as I got on top of the emotion welling inside me.

"My brother also took his own life 22 year ago, the night before my birthday, and I am reminded every year of suicide's ever too often, permanent conclusion.

"Now, I anticipate, Christmas and the New Year will be for us, ever similarly tarnished. Be strong, I hear people say; what you’re doing is marvellous they say; but, I failed him.

"Once one's child has gone, the ache of failure is enough to almost torment one into following their lead, but that would be failure in itself."

Tim has so far raised more than £16,000.

"I am not going to fail," he said. "Charlie, his younger brother and I would like to help others who have experienced such a loss but equally importantly to try and prevent young suicide in the first instance by donating a large cash sum, prior to the first anniversary of his death, to Papyrus.

"For the past ten years, with the help and encouragement of a number of friends and support of Marcela, my wife, my son Christopher and many colleagues in the Armed Forces and Industry, we have raised £250,000 for a number of charities: Toe in the Water; fly2help; PTSD Resolution; The Chestnut Tree Children's Hospice; Sail4Cancer; aerobility; The SuperYacht Charities; and, The NOT FORGOTTEN via sponsored sailing events run in association with Fairview Sailing.

"We will of course continue to do that but now we want to focus on the parents, like me, badly affected by a child's suicide by providing an opportunity to enjoy some time together in the fresh air while leaning into the pain."

This is not the only sailing fundraiser that Tim is taking part in.

He added: "In addition, but quite separately from this campaign, Charlie, his elder brother and I are going to sail across the Atlantic at this time next year.

"Each additional member of the crew is going to raise a further £27,000, or ten pounds per mile sailed, for a charity of their own choosing. I am going to support PAPRYUS, as is Charlie."

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tim-davies-9643.