Dad's devastating message moments before he died

A dad-of-two who was 'the life and soul of the party' sent a devastating message to his girlfriend moments before he died. Kevin Sholicar 'laughed and joked with everyone', according to his dad, John Sholicar.

But he also battled mental health issues during his life. Kevin tragically died aged 35 on Saturday (April 27).

John says it followed a 'cry for help that went wrong', as he sent a heartbreaking text to girlfriend Claire before he died. He told the Liverpool Echo Kevin had taken his two daughters, aged 10 and 14, on holiday in the weeks before his death.

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On April 27, Claire received a heart-stopping text from her children's dad that read 'please come save me.' John said that Claire called the emergency services and performed CPR shortly after arriving at the home where he was staying.

John, 57, said: "We thought it was a cry for help that went wrong, because he sent a text saying 'please come and save me' to his partner, and he left the door open for her." In an emotional tribute to his much-loved son, he said: "I'm watching videos of him and I am laughing and crying because there are videos of him laughing and joking about.

"He laughed and joked with everyone, he loved everyone. He was always the life and soul of party, he was such a great friend, I have videos of him joking around in the [work] van with his best friend, Andy. He was always looking after his nan, he would do anything for anyone and loved his girls [his two daughters]. He was so well liked, liked and well respected, he always had a smile and a laugh.

"It was just earlier [today] that I came back from walking our dogs - I've inherited his German Shepard - and my wife was in tears because Jamie Webster was on the radio, he loved his songs. He would always be singing it and you can just picture him singing along to it. And Mardy Bum by the Artic Monkeys - he loved music.

"He loved Phil Collins too, I remember getting a text from him once saying 'I love him because of you. I'm only half the man I am because of you, you are my hero dad.' He was an absolute character and he was loved by everyone. I remember when he danced at the girls' dance school exhibition one year, it was the dads as the men in black and he pulled out his signature move, the worm, at the end, he always wanted to make people laugh."

John hopes his son's story can raise awareness of men's mental health, he is urging people to speak up if they are struggling even if they think they are doing better. He said: "What happened when Kev took his life was a a cry for help. Claire was there within fifteen minutes of the text being sent. It was very traumatic.

"I want to create awareness of men's mental health, if this could happen to a young 35-year-old man. Kev had been on his way up, he had been working, so it actually came from nowhere that he did take his own life.

"He had been on a holiday with kids recently - he took the girls on holiday where they had swam with dolphins, were riding go karts, that was only a few weeks ago. He had been through a bad patch but it was looking like we were on the way up. It was like something switched in his brain. He had everything to live for, two girls, 14 and 10, things were looking alright.

"I want to encourage people to talk if they are struggling. You might have some problems and you might think you are alright, then something switches in your brain. There was one switch in his head for a split moment where he wasn't thinking about all the people that he was going to hurt and that loved him.

"Mental health can just take over when you think you are past the worst. It doesn't take much for it to come back and get you. Even if you think you are back on the right track, you should carry on getting support. I'm wearing his band at the moment that says 'it's OK to talk.'"

John says his son's legacy has been able to live on due to the fact he was an organ donor - his organs have gone on to help lots of other people. He said: "Kev was an organ donor, he has helped so many people. We want to raise awareness for people to be an organ donor - just one eye can go on to help four people - organs can give so many people a better way of life. And, now he has gone on to help so many people.

"It reassure us a lot knowing that he has helped so many people. It's a legacy, that is his legacy. And, this is the kind of person he was, he would help everyone. He was an amazing son. And now he is living in others.

"It's such a thoughtful process for everyone involved, even to the family. You get messages from someone who's life you have saved which is lovely."

Kevin, from Ormskirk, Lancashire, leaves behind his parents, two younger brothers, girlfriend Claire and their two daughters. Kevin's best friend, Andy Noone, has set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of the family, all the money raised will be put towards helping his two daughters in the future and a donation will be made to helping men's mental health charities. You can donate to the fundraiser here.