A CHARITY ball held in memory of a 21-year-old who took his own life has raised nearly £10,000 for a mental health charity.

Molly Creegan, 21, from Heybridge decided to arrange the event in honour of Luke Reeves, who was found dead in his bedroom in April last year.

The A Night at the Oscars event was held on Saturday and saw attendees enjoy a three-course meal, casino, live music, a raffle and games.

A silent auction was then held to raise money for mental health charity Mind.

Molly, who met Luke aged 14, said she was overwhelmed at the £9,700 raised after only expecting to raise £2,000.

She said: “It was an amazing event and everyone said they had such a great time.

“We had 240 people there which was way more than what I had imagined.

“I am overwhelmed that we raised as much as we did - I never thought we would get that amount.

“I feel so privileged to have been able to help others and in Luke’s memory makes it that bit more important.

“The money raised will go such a long way to helping others and that is so important to me.

“I know it’s something Luke would have been really proud of and it was overwhelming to see so many months of hard work come together and be a success.”

At an inquest into Luke’ death last year, his family accused drug company Roche of indirectly killing the 21-year-old from Copford, claiming his personality drastically changed following a course of acne medication.

But the drugs manufacturer denied its product triggers suicide and depression.

Molly, who works in HR, said she hoped the charity event, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium in Colchester, helped raise awareness of the issue of mental health.

She added: “I am very grateful to everyone who came and for being so generous in order to raise such an incredible amount of money.

“The success of it shows how much people cared for Luke and how much he meant to everyone.

“I hope that I can do other things in the future to keep Luke’s memory in people’s minds and help others."

Molly now hopes to get the total up to £10,000.

To donate visit memoryspace.mind.org.uk/MyPage/The-Luke-Reeves-Memorial-Ball.