GRANDPARENTS celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary made a special request instead of asking for presents.

Pat and Ken Titcombe of Haydon Wick asked for donations to mental health charity Swindon Mind in memory of their late son Jason, who died suddenly in 2017 after suffering silently with depression. They collected hundreds of pounds from generous family members and friends.

The couple held their anniversary party at Highworth’s Wrag Barn Golf Club, complete with a special wedding-style cake topped with the original bride and groom figures from their big day 60 years ago.

The 82-year-olds are currently on holiday in Vienna and plan to head to Prague to continue their celebrations before returning home.

Daughter Joanne said: “They have an unwavering zest for life, they are not slowing down and have no plans to stop travelling the world. We are all really proud of them, they are truly remarkable people who have done so much during their time together.

“They met at school, when my dad was head boy at Pinehurst and mum was prefect. She was an evacuee from East London and he was from Haydon Wick.

“They married when they were 22, then went to live in London. Dad played for Charlton Athletic Football Club for a few years before they came back to Swindon and had three children.

“Funnily enough, they now live in the house dad was born in so, in a way, they have come full circle.”

While the party was certainly a celebration of the love and devotion Pat and Ken have shared during six decades together, the day also included a touching reminder of their beloved son.

Joanna added: “The venue for the party was poignant because Jason spent a lot of time there and it felt like he was with us, in a way.

“Despite an underlying sadness about what happened to Jason, they have found the strength to carry on and enjoy life.

“We have campaigned for Swindon Mind since Jason died and the money we raised helped pay for much-needed services and improvements that have helped a lot of people.

“I would like to thank everyone who donated and made this possible, and Mum and Dad asking for more donations instead of presents was a lovely gesture.”

The Titcombes raised £330 at the anniversary party which when added to the total from the last two years, of £11,891.32, brings it up to more than £12,000.

A spokeswoman for Swindon Mind called the fundraising feat “a truly fantastic amount”.

The family’s charitable efforts began when Jason’s nephew Jake Jell set up a GoFundMe page in 2017 to raise money for Swindon Mind in Jason’s memory.

He also urged people with mental health issues, particularly men, to talk about their emotions when they’re feeling troubled instead of suffering in silence. Speaking out can save lives.

Generous donations from 123 people raised a grand total of £7,750.02, exceeding the original target of £300 by a whopping 2,666 per cent. Since then, the total has grown and grown.

Jason Titcombe was a familiar face to many at the Wrag Barn Golf Club in Highworth. The 46-year-old from Blunsdon played at the club regularly and took part in an annual golf tournament.

In 2012, Jason sponsored the event and donated a trophy, which has now been renamed in his honour after Jason passed away suddenly in 2017 after suffering silently with depression.

All proceeds from the event went to Swindon Mind and the winner received the Jason Titcombe Memorial Trophy in tribute to the much-missed son, brother, uncle and father.

Swindon Mind provides mental health advice, support and services to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem in the area.

Its tried-and-tested wellbeing programme offers solution-focussed support through regular assessment, plans and reviews. To donate, visit sgmind.org.uk