A FORMER GP who died last year has left a lasting legacy for young people suffering from mental health problems in the Tavistock area.

Charlie Lloyd, an enthusiastic supporter of the Tavistock Youth Café, died while out on a ride with friends from his club, The Tavistock Wheelers. His wife, Helen, contacted the cafe to ask if something could be done to honour his enthusiasm for supporting young people — and the result was a sailing adventure for eight of them.

One of the former doctor’s cycling friends, youth cafe manager and youth health and well-being coach Vicki Lloyd-Walsh, said Charlie had often spoken to her about his frustration over the lack of support available for young people who are struggling with mental health or other difficult factors in their lives.

She said: ‘He was an enthusiastic believer that with the right support, physical and mental well-being could be achieved and can change the direction of a young person’s life.

‘Charlie was very excited by the news that the youth café would be receiving funding from The Primary Care Network to support young people’s well-being and employ another member of staff to deliver one-to-one mentoring. He was passionate too about exercise, the outdoors, and how time spent on the moors or sea was transformative and fun.

‘Shortly after Charlie’s death his wife, Helen, contacted me at the youth café to discuss a way in which we could do something positive for young people, to honour Charlie’s enthusiasm to support them and enable access to the outdoors particularly for those who might otherwise struggle to do this.

‘Helen asked that some of the donations made from Charlie’s many friends and sports clubs should go to Tavistock Youth Café, and soon after we received a total of £2,134.70. Helen told me that Charlie’s Uncle ‘Dick Lloyd’ was the founder of a sailing organisation ‘The Plymouth Island Trust’ and that they might be good to talk to. That was the start of something big.

’The Island Trust is a registered charity providing life-changing, residential, and sailing activities for young people.

‘They told us they could match fund in order for us to book a five-day sailing voyage for eight young people, two youth workers and two crew.

‘The young people had to work as a team in a confined space, clean the decks, prepare food and cook for everyone, clean the galley and heads (toilets), learn to put the sails up and down, steer the boat and overcome sea sickness.

‘It was an amazing experience and the improved results to their mental health was apparent in days. The difference this made to eight lives was tangible.

‘Their confidence to seize the moment and look to the future has grown. One of the young people has decided to follow sailing as a career and has just joined the Tamar and Tavy Gig Rowing Club.

‘Because of that fantastic opportunity and the clear difference, it made, the youth café will be raising £3,000 to take another eight young people on (the sailing ship) ‘Pegasus’ in 2022, and will aim to make this an annual event on our calendar.

‘We want to say big thank you to Helen Lloyd and all the people and clubs that donated, for a legacy from Charlie that is truly fitting.’