His heartbroken mum said: "I always knew he was troubled, but I didn’t realise how desperate he was"
Tragic dad-of-one Richard Dale was only 25 when he was found unconscious in his flat in Roseworth, Stockton.
Richard was rushed to hospital, but doctors said there was nothing more they could do.
It was left to his distraught mum Diane Dale to take the decision to turn off his life-support, The Chronicle reports.
Now Diane, 42, is encouraging other troubled young men to get help to ensure that Richard’s death was not in vain, amid fears he took his own life.
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“I always knew he was troubled, but I didn’t realise how desperate he was,” said Diane.
“He could be on a massive high one minute and then come crashing down.
“Richard had a heart of gold. He had a lot of hopes and dreams - but he could be his own worst enemy sometimes.
“He was so up and down, he really was, we think he might have been bipolar.
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“Just a day earlier, he was talking about having his own flat, his son and getting a job.
“He said, ‘All I want to do is do everybody proud and be the best son and dad I can’.
“I want to tell anyone who is going through depression or whatever, don’t be afraid to admit that you need help.
“Think of yourself and look at the biggest picture. There’s help for everybody out there - reach out and get it.
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“If I can get one person to get the help they need then he hasn’t died in vain.”
Despite his problems, Diane remembers her son as a popular, larger-than-life character who could light up a room with his presence.
“He was 6’5 with blond hair and this deep booming voice,” said Diane, “I’d give my right arm to hear him coming in the house again.
“He was Roseworth born-and-bred. Growing up, he was a typical little boy, into everything. He was very loving as well.”
Richard was a pupil at Blakeston School, in Norton, and made the news when, aged 15, he stunned teachers by breaking a British record after trying out a rowing machine for the first time.
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Richard rowed the fastest 500m in the UK and the third fastest in the world in his age group and was put on the school’s Gifted and Talented Programme to help maximise the potential of talented sporting youngsters.
Speaking at the time Richard said: “I’m playing with the idea of being a rower, I’m not really sure but I think I will give it a go.”
Aged 16, Richard moved in with his nana, Ann.
Diane said: “He lived with his nana, my mam. She doted on him and he doted on her.
“She died in September last year and Richard took it very hard.”
Richard was a proud father to his three-year-old son Keaton, and a loving brother to Jon, 17, and Nicole, 14.
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Diane said: “Physically I’ve only got two kids now. But I’ll always have my three kids - always.
“Keaton’s the double of him. My biggest regret is that he’s not going to see his son grow up.
Since his death, Diane has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from the Teesside community.
“The support I’ve had from his friends has been amazing, it really has,” said Diane, “He had so many friends and people who would have helped him. He could have had a good life.
“A local group called Mind You Don’t Forget have been amazing with their support as well. I can’t thank them all enough.”
A gofundme page to raise funds for Richard’s funeral was set up by Richard’s friend Jamie Lathan.
To donate, visit here.
Friends of Richard are invited by the family to release balloons and lanterns in memory of Richard on Roseworth Back Field at 7pm on Saturday February 20