ALYN and Deeside AM Jack Sargeant has announced the first recipient from the memorial fund set up in his father’s name will be a bereavement charity.

Speaking in the Welsh Assembly on Tuesday, Mr Sargeant paid tribute to workers in charities and organisations which support people with mental ill health.

He also confirmed the first donation from the Carl Sargeant Memorial Fund will go to Cruse Bereavement Care North Wales.

Speaking to the chamber, Mr Sargeant said: “This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the focus of this year’s campaign is stress.

“I am extremely proud to be wearing my green ribbon in the chamber today.

“I want to begin by thanking members from across this chamber, including staff, for joining me outside the Senedd earlier today for a photo in support of the campaign.

"Coming together to show support is so important. It goes a long way in saying its ‘ok not to be ok’.

“I have two things I want to raise in particular.

“Firstly, will the Leader of the House join me in paying tribute to the thousands of people who work for charities and organisations that help people with mental ill health?

“And finally, I just want to take the time to put on the record and inform members that my family and I am very pleased to announce the first donation from the Carl Sargeant Memorial Fund.

"As this is Mental Health Awareness Week, we have decided to donate money from the fund towards Cruse North Wales.

"Curse provides vital bereavement support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies. I know personally how important that support is.

“I hope this donation will play some part in ensuring organisations like Curse can continue to offer the vital mental health support that so many people in North Wales and across Wales desperately need."

Neil Hudgell of Hudgell Solicitors is representing Jack Sargeant and his family in relation to the independent inquiry about Carl Sargeant’s dismissal by First Minister Carwyn Jones.

Mr Hudgell said: “I echo Jack’s sentiments today and would also like to commend Jack for speaking out.

"It’s incredibly important that a culture of ‘suffering in silence’ does not prevail when people are facing mental health challenges.”