Film in memory of Patrick Kelly to be launched tonight

A short film in memory of a young Derry man who took his own life earlier this year will be launched tonight.

Patrick Kelly’s body was recovered from the River Foyle in February.

The 18-year-old, who was known as Paddy to his friends, was from Strathfoyle.

Following his death, Patrick’s friends have taken part in a number of events to raise awareness of the need for young people to seek help with problems in their lives.

A charity boxing event will take place in Strathfoyle Youth Centre tonight to raise money for Youthlife and Foyle Search and Rescue, whose volunteers helped recover Patrick’s body.

During the event, a short film called ‘Life is Precious’ will be launched.

Enagh Youth Forum in Strathfoyle received £10,000 for its You’ll Never Walk Alone summer intervention project from the Big Lottery Fund 'Awards for All' Programme, which promotes young people’s mental health and explores suicide awareness.

As well as the short film in memory of Patrick, the project has involved a range of workshops including team building, self-esteem and confidence building, activities including outdoor pursuits, motivational interviewing and counselling. Patrick’s young friends and other young people who are members of both Strathfoyle Youth Centre and Enagh Youth Forum were included in making the video, which will feature young people’s personal memories of their late friend.

Following tonight’s launch, the film will be shown at youth clubs and schools throughout the north west.

It will also be published on YouTube and shared on social media.

Eamonn O'Donnell, youth support worker with the BreakOut Project Enagh Youth Forum, said: “The effects of this film will be invaluable.

“It will be an ongoing resource to help young people. It will develop the video skills of those involved, and it will reach the right people in the format they relate best to.

“Hopefully it will help young people to realise there is help out there. It’s a very sensitive issue but we need to get people talking. The message is that it’s ok to talk.”

Joanne McDowell, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s NI Awards for All programme funds health, education, environment and community projects that help people bring about positive change in their lives, improve health and well-being, develop skills and create safer communities.

“The application process is simple and accessible and shall remain so, making it easy for applicants to successfully apply for small pots of funding that can have such a big impact on local communities and lives.”