Family of teenage boy who died by suicide beg young people to be 'Be Buddies, not Bullies'

Kind hearted Eden Heaslip, 18, died by suicide after "every form of bullying" by a group of vicious thugs, who even shoved his head down dirty toilets and kicked him as he lay on the ground.

The Cavan lad - who dreamed of being a mechanic - took his own life on September 20, less than two weeks after his 18th birthday, but his family are determined that good will come from their devastating loss.

Over 40 of his family & pals including 83 year old Michael Cahill who have dyed their hair every colour of the rainbow turned out to help his family launch the charity sticker campaign 'Buddies Not Bullies'

All proceeds from the sale of the stickers - which cost €5 each - will be used to educate young people how best to put an end to childhood bullying. The stickers are the brainchild of local mental health charity founder Leanne Coyle of Smile For Me. Leanne said: "I am delighted to be able to help the Heaslip family in any way, it is important that we normalise the conversation about bullying and mental health."

Eden's sister Chloe said: "It is all about raising awareness and already stickers have gone all over the world....from Australia to New York.

"We want to remember Eden, but also there is such a need for awareness and the response we have received is amazing."

Finn, Eden's brother who was instrumental in the dye, wax or shave fundraiser is delighted that the campaign in his baby brother's memory has raised over €18,000 so far, Finn said: "over 60 people have dyed their hair in memory of Eden, it's about raising awareness.

"There is no anti bullying support group in Ireland, as a family we want to make sure that what happened to Eden never happens to anyone else. If what we are doing helps even one person then it will ease our family's pain a little. This is what we will do with the fundraising money."

Sister Chloe, who is training to be a school teacher, has already met with Minister Heather Humphreys to discuss what happened to Eden and hopes to talk to Minister Norma Foley in the future to get anti bullying campaigns started in schools in Eden's name.

"There is a demand here for anti bullying support, a lot of people are affected by it. Christmas as a family will be difficult but it is overwhelming the amount of public support we have received, we have connected with kind people and they will help us through the coming hard time," she said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by the family and can be accessed here. Stickers are €5 each and can be purchased online by visiting the SmileForMe Facebook page. Or use this link here to buy one online.

if you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, contact the Samaritans on 116 123; Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELLO to 50808, a free 24/7 text support service for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis.