'Kind and polite' Sutton-in-Ashfield boy takes his own life aged 12

A 12-year-old Nottinghamshire boy has taken his own life. Riley Townsend, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism and was struggling.

The boy, who was a Kirkby Colts FC and Terversal FC player, was described as "polite and kind" but had "had enough" and took his own life on Sunday, September 1. A GoFundMe page was launched to cover his funeral costs, amassing more than £6,500 in less than 24 hours.

Jodie Draycott, a family friend who started the fundraiser, told Nottinghamshire Live: "At the minute, his parents have got a lot going on but they're overwhelmed by the support. He'd been struggling with mental health issues for a long time.

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"Unfortunately, Riley had had enough and it got to this point." Ms Draycott added: "He was a cheeky chappy, a proper lad, polite and kind towards his siblings and anybody, really.

"But his mental health got in the way. He struggled a lot and his family are now going through their worst nightmare. He was an amazing young boy and he had a whole future in front of him and he could have gone so far."

Riley was a pupil at Quarrydale Academy and was going to start the new school year at Ashfield Comprehensive School in Sutton-in-Ashfield on Wednesday, September 4. Tributes for the boy poured in online following the news of his death.

If you wish to help Riley's family by making a donation to the GoFundMe page, you can click here.