A year after he said goodbye to his son for the final time, the father of a teen who took his own life has shared one of the last photos taken of his son to encourage people to check in on their loved ones.

Matthew Mackell, a Year 12 pupil at Skinners' Kent Academy, died on May 7 last year in Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells.

On the anniversary of Matthew's death, his father Michael Bond says he will never stop sharing his son's story if it means he can prevent others from feeling the same heartache.

Mr Bond said: "I can't have Matthew back. I can't give him a cuddle and tell him I love him, the only thing I can do is try and get things changed so it doesn't happen to anyone else.

"There have been a couple of people who have said they were thinking of taking their own life but didn't after reading Matty's story and that's all I can hope for."

Sharing the latest photo on Facebook Mr Bond said: "This photo means everything to me but I wanted to show you all this can happen to anyone, any family member or a friend so please check on love ones."

Mr Bond said Matthew's brother Chris plans to visit Dunorlan Park with friends to lay flowers in memory of his younger brother who loved maths and had hoped to become an accountant.

April 13 would have been Matthew's 18th birthday and to mark the occasion, the family sat by his graveside with cake and drink to toast the teen who excelled in school but struggled with the isolating effects of the pandemic.

Mr Bond added he couldn't have got through the last year without the support of those around him, particularly those at Skinners' Kent Academy.

He said: "The school is opening the Sixth Form garden in memory of Matty and they are also going to have a one minute silence.

"They have been incredible to us, they have helped us so much and I want them to know that.

"There will also be a bench with a picture of Matty on it hopefully very soon.

"They also sent Matty a card on his birthday and it really shows he has not been forgotten and it's so appreciated."

A lawyer representing Kent Police acknowledged failings were made by the force the night Matthew called them for help before taking his own life.

During a Pre Inquest Review at County Hall in Maidstone last month, the counsels for Kent Police and Matthew's family referenced a report by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) which found 'a number of failings' were made that night.

The report is yet to be published and the exact details of the failings are not yet known.

The report by the IOPC follows a mandatory referral by the force after Matthew called 999 in distress before taking his own life.

The details of his final phone call were shared with Mr Bond in July.

During the full inquest, the coroner hopes to paint a picture of what happened in the control room the night Matthew called for help.

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