A FUNDRAISER held in memory of a Burnham-on-Sea teenager who died in 2019 has raised more than £5,700 for charity.

Ross Burland took his own life just weeks before his 20th birthday, and his family have sought to raise awareness and funds for young people’s mental health.

Ross’ sister Kate and two of his friends, Joe Ashwell and Matt Farrell, organised a two-day event - called ‘Run, Ride, Row, Walk’ - which took place last weekend.

It began with a 13-mile run along the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal path, followed by a three-hour cycle ride around Taunton, a 10-mile walk from Wellington (where Ross used to work) to Wimbleball Lake, and a seven-mile row on that lake.

The challenge, which had been intended to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was in aid of Highbridge-based mental health charity In Charley’s Memory.

Kate said: “We were absolutely devastated when we lost Ross.

“It was a real shock to all of us as none of us had any idea that he was suffering.

“Not a day has gone by where we have not thought about him, it still hurts us to this day.

“After his death, Ross’ friend Joe Ashwell came to us and said he would like to do a fundraiser in memory of Ross, and we jumped at the chance.”

The organisers hoped to reach a target of £5,000 and, at the time of writing, £5,768 had been donated to the event’s fundraising page.

Donations can still be made, via the fundraising page here.