A GRIEVING mother has paid tribute to her 'beautiful, caring' son after he took his own life.

Sam Pritchard, 30, of The Green, Cowes, had battled crippling anxiety and depression.

His body was found at Gurnard beach on Saturday.

Friends and relatives have rallied around in an overwhelming display of support for the grieving family.

Sam's mother, Dawn Thistlewood, said: "Sam was the most beautiful, caring, sensitive soul and too bright for this cruel world.

"He was perfect in every way and always thought about others before himself. He was so loved.

"Sam never got over the loss of his father, four years ago in July."

David Pritchard, Sam's father, died of a heart attack.

"He wanted to be with his father," Dawn said.

"I look at pictures of Sam, his brother Luke and their dad, and now there is only one of them left.

"Sam struggled with his mental health. Everything affected him deeply.

"He wanted to change the world, wanted it to be a better place. He wasn't equipped to deal with the cruel things people do.

"As you get older, society expects certain things of you. He felt that he was never good enough, but he was.

"Next to my dad, he is the kindest, purest human being I have ever met and I am proud to have given birth to him.

"If ever I did something right, it was giving birth to two beautiful sons.

"My parents absolutely adore my boys and they are heart broken.

"Sam loved his niece Grace. He adored her.

"I have not heard a bad word about my boy.

"He was very unassuming, extremely articulate and intelligent. He was very deep, very quiet, private and had some very good friends. Sam only bothered with decent people.

"He was also a hard worker and his workplace, Strainstall, were always very understanding. They have been amazing and they are devastated.

"Sam and I talked about everything together. We had such a good mother-friend relationship.

"He knew how much I loved him. My boys are my world.

"We are just a normal family, we keep ourselves to ourselves. Family has always been everything.

"I am a mum and it shouldn't be that I have to bury my son.

"My heart and my life will never be the same again, but he knew I was strong enough to get through this."

Sam leaves his mum, brother Luke, niece Grace and grandparents Nanny June and Popsi, as well as many friends.

Family friend Nikki Harwood started a fundraising page to raise money for Sam's funeral costs. It has already received around £6,000 in donations.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/fundraising-for-the-most-deserved-send-off-for-sam.

Dawn said: "The family are totally overwhelmed with the compassion, kindness and love that we are being shown.

"Thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts."

For free and confidential mental health support, the following organisations are available:

Samaritans 116 123, every day 24 hour support. www.samaritans.org

Papyrus 0800 068 41 41, Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 10pm or text 0778 620 9697. Prevention of young suicide. www.papyrus-uk.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) 0800 58 58 58, 5pm to midnight. Dedicated to preventing male suicide. www.thecalmzone.net

Mind 0300 123 3393, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays). Advises on a range of mental health issues. www.mind.org.uk

Young Minds 0808 802 5544, 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Supports any adult worried about a child’s welfare. www.youngminds.org.uk

The Mix 0808 808 4994, 2pm to 11pm, Monday to Sunday. Helpline for people under the age of 25. www.themix.org.uk

Don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.