TRIBUTES have been paid to a personal trainer from Kearsley who died at the age of 28.

Lewis Kirby ran his own business, Push Through Fitness, but struggled with his mental health for several years.

Now his best friend Chelsea Nicholson has launched a fundraising page to raise money for mental health charities.

Any leftover money will be used to plant a memorial tree with a plaque for Lewis.

So far £3,800 has been raised, surpassing an initial target of £1,000.

Chelsea is also planning a few fundraising events at a later date including a 10 mile walk to be done at midnight, as Lewis struggled with his mental health at night in particular.

Some of Lewis' friends will be carrying a weighted stretcher with 100kg - Lewis' weight - up and down Rivington Pike.

Lewis Kirby with Chelsea Nicholson

Lewis Kirby with Chelsea Nicholson

Chelsea said: "I wanted to set this up as I knew Lewis struggled with his BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), anxiety and depression, and not enough people talk about these.

"I hope with this fundraiser people will be able to talk openly about their mental health, because talking is so important.

"Money will be donated to charities which were close to Lewis' heart.

"Lewis would speak openly with me about his struggles and said how it helped him.

"The response has been huge, there's been a lot of donations and I've been contacted by others who've said that they struggle from time to time.

"The events will hopefully be in May, although a date hasn't been set yet."

Lewis and Chelsea met when they were at George Tomlinson School in Kearsley and had remained firm friends since.

Chelsea added: "He was my best friend, we were like brother and sister. We were friends for almost 20 years.

"He wasn't my brother by blood but he was my brother by heart.

"There was nothing he wouldn't do for you.

"He ran his own business, Push Through Fitness and helped clients achieve their goals.

"Before my wedding he helped me to lose weight; at first my dress didn't fit me and Lewis helped me with training.

The Bolton News: A fundraiser has been set up in memory of Lewis Kirby

"The day I tried it on and it fit, he burst into tears.

"Lewis was a genuinely nice person and helped everyone, he had a tough exterior but a soft interior.

"Obviously we knew about his struggles as he was very vocal about them, but it was a massive shock when we found out he had died.

"I thought we would grow old and grey together."

You can donate to the fundraiser on the Just Giving page.