More than 200 people gathered at The Plough in Shepreth for a fundraising music night in memory of a young victim of depression from Meldreth.

The inaugural MindEd concert, to raise money for the MindEd Trust, was arranged entirely by close friends of talented musician Edward Mallen, who tragically took his own life earlier this year.

Led by Royston teenager Olivia Carter – the former head girl at Melbourn Village College when Edward Mallen was head boy –teenagers gathered to hear a great line-up of local talent while reminiscing about their school days with Edward and wishing each other well before heading off to college and university.

Olivia was joined by singer-songwriters Oscar Corney and Mark Shepherd in supporting St Albans band Franklin who closed the show with a rocking set.

Edward’s father Steve Mallen set up the trust with the aim of improving mental health services for young people in Herts and Cambs.

Speaking after the music night which raised more than £1,000, Steve said: “We are incredibly grateful to all at The Plough for their support in staging this event which we hope will become an annual fixture.

“All of the performers were excellent and were extremely kind to share their time and talent.

“Edward’s friends Luke and Josh Hebditch, Andrew Leslie and Sophie Payne all deserve special mention for helping Olivia make this show a reality.

“We were deeply touched by all who offered their support.

“We wish all of Edward’s friends and year-group every success as they move on with their careers and education and we are of course devastated that our deal lad is not with them.”

The trust is working closely with a number of local schools to develop mental health programmes for students, teachers and parents with the intention of removing stigma and ensuring that young people having a difficult time come forward early and without embarrassment when they need help.

Smart Edward scored 12 A*s at GCSE and had been offered a place to study at Cambridge University.