A mental health charity has been launched in memory of a regional journalist who took her own life.

The Kelly Foundation has been set up to support people in Swindon who have severe anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

It is named in memory of Kelly Jobanputra, who wrote for the Swindon Advertiser and died aged 40 in April 2019.

Kelly, pictured, also worked for local BBC radio stations and produced a daytime show for BBC 6 Music.

Her father John Stooke, who has launched the charity, told the Advertiser: “The charity has been set up in memory of Kelly to support individuals with severe anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues where just antidepressant prescriptions are not the complete answer.

“Everyone in Swindon should live a healthy, safe, fulfilling and independent life, supported by thriving and connected communities.”

Mr Stooke, who criticised the inquest verdict of suicide after his daughter’s death, added: “My desire is to help other people struggling with this as Kelly would have wanted that.

“If you talk to any parent who has lost a child, they will always say that the most important thing is that their loss was not in vain and that their lives are not forgotten.

“So I wanted to make this for Kelly too to make sure her children grow up knowing that she was a great person.”