A MEMORY walk to raise awareness and funds for ADHD will take place next month in honour of a much-loved Dearham man who was ‘an old soul’.

Finley Abbott died suddenly aged 21 at his home in Dearham on Christmas Eve 2023. His family said there were no warning signs, saying Finley was the happiest he had been ‘for a very long time’.

Following his death, Finley’s mother has tried to raise awareness for ADHD, which she feels had a major impact on her Finley throughout his life.

Speaking about her son after his death, Erica said: “Finley was loving, full of hugs and kisses and ringing me every day. He was my life. I was so proud of the man he grew up to be.

“He was always singing, he was such a beautiful singer. We always sang Islands in the Stream together... he was happy all the time and just absolutely loved music.

Erica and her beloved son Finley (Image: Supplied)

“I just can’t even describe what he was like and the bond we had with each other; he was definitely once-met-never-forgotten.”

Following his death, Finley’s family and friends have decided to organise a memory walk to mark his birthday and raise awareness of ADHD.

The 5 mile memory walk will take place on September 21, the day before Finley’s 22nd birthday.

It will start at Jack's Surf Bar in Allonby, onto Blue Dial Caravan Park in Allonby before heading to Finley’s grave to ‘sing happy birthday’ and finishing at The Lifeboat in Maryport, which was Finley’s local.

Ada, Finley's beloved dog, will participate in the walk among many friends and family. Anyone is welcome to join, with children and dogs also being welcome at the event.

Erica said: “The response to the walk has been really, really good. There is a JustGiving page and people can donate what they want.

Asked about why it was important to raise awareness, Erica said: “It’s an impulsive behaviour. Finley struggled a lot being judged... I think there is a stigma around ADHD.

“He just didn’t used to get the support he needed. I used to say to him, 'you're special, you're not different, you're just special'.”

Erica said Finley would be ‘smiling’ at the fact that the walk was taking place in his memory.

Erica said: “If I can help someone out there and raise awareness for people with ADHD - even if it just means that someone takes their mate out for a drink - then that will be worth it.

“There is such a stigma around men’s mental health.”

Everyone is encouraged to wear black t-shirts with the badge of Finley’s memory walk printed on it, these can be made at Picture It in Workington.

You can donate to the Just Giving page here.

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