A CHARITY event is set to take place in memory of a popular town resident on what would have been his 50th birthday.
Michael Hutchings, known to many as ‘Hutch‘, was originally from Silver End before moving to and living in Halstead for many years.
Michael’s Go Smart Window Cleaning company had many customers in Halstead, Earls Colne and surrounding villages.
He tragically took his own life on September 5 last year.
Speaking to the Gazette previously, Michael’s wife Emma described him as “kind, caring and chatty”.
She said: “My husband was a very kind, caring man.
“He spent lots of time talking to customers and doing little jobs for them.
“He just loved living in Halstead.”
Yesterday, September 28, would have been Hutch’s 50th birthday.
Emma has been working to organise a way to acknowledge the date, to celebrate his memory whilst at the same time, trying to bring people together to help raise awareness and vital funds for the importance of support for Men’s Mental Health and suicide prevention.
Tonight, Friday, September 29, Acanteen in Chelmsford has offered its venue for the event, A Party for Hutch - Fundraiser and 50th, which begins at 7pm.
A spokesman for the event said: “There will be some incredible local DJ’s Jimpster Jamie Odell, Dom Physics, Chris Sussex and Marcus Dryden who have also kindly offered to support the event.
“All ticket sales and any money raised will go to men’s mental health charity Talk Club, and Emma’s company will match whatever is raised and double it.”
Talk Club is a talking and listening club for men, offering talking groups, sports groups and therapy to help keep you mentally fit.
A mental health community for men, the charity provides in-person and online support, giving men a chance to be listened to and check in with themselves.
It also offers monthly online talking and listening groups.
For more information visit talkclub.org.
The ticketed event is open to everyone, with tickets costing £10.
The spokesman added: “If you can’t make the event but wish to support the cause and help raise some much-needed funds, you can purchase an Invisible Ticket as your donation.”
You can purchase tickets or make a donation HERE.
Tables can also be booked at the venue by visitng acanteen.co.uk/book.
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