A CHARITY set up following the death of a young rugby player is to benefit from one of the region's longest-running music festivals.

The Nathan Tomkins Trust, set up following the death of Upton Rugby Club's Nathan "Tank" Tomkins, is the chosen charity for this weekend's Upton Jazz Festival.

Throughout The Fringe Festival, which takes place at the Swan Hotel from June 28-30, collections will be taken for the trust, which raises mental health awareness in young people.

Nathan, who took his life aged just 22 on Christmas Eve, 2016, was a keen rugby player and active member of the Young Farmers Club who competed in regular charity events such as bungee jumps and the Three Peaks Challenge.

Jon Parsons, Fringe festival organiser and head of marketing for Upton Jazz Festival said: "Our grateful thanks go to Sue and Ralph, our hosts at The Swan.

"We’re delighted to be once again raising money for the Nathan Tomkins Trust.

"It’s a cause close to all of our hearts here in Upton, and the outreach work the charity does, campaigning for more awareness of mental health issues among the rural youth, is extraordinary.

"The Fringe has become a fantastic addition to what will be the 34th annual Upton Jazz Festival, and with a line-up like this, we’ve no doubt it will continue to go from strength to strength."

It’s the second year the Trust has been associated with The Fringe, which this year features talented up-and-coming musicians as well as established acts.

The Trust was set up in 2017 in memory of ex-Hanley High School pupil Nathan.

A trust spokesman said: "Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety are hidden illnesses that carry an unwarranted stigma and affect far more people than we realise.

"The attached stigma makes it very difficult for people to talk about, especially in young men and without a higher level of awareness or support in the general population it can prove fatal.

"Nathan obviously thought that he had no other way out.

"We hope that through raising awareness among the youth of tomorrow, that those in Nathan’s position can recognise the signs and are unafraid to find or ask for the help they need."

Nathan’s brother Jack, 26, helps run the Trust from the family farm at Earl’s Croome.

It runs training courses on mental health and suicide prevention, and offers grants to organisations campaigning for better awareness.

Jack said: "Events like the Upton Jazz Festival Fringe are incredibly important for us to share the Trust’s message.

"The festival holds a special place in our hearts - it’s something we always attended as a family with Nathan - and to be able to take the message to so many hundreds of people from all aspects of society, from jazz fans to schools and the rugby community, is absolutely vital."