The family of a former Bradford University student who committed suicide have raised thousands of pounds to fund research into depression.

Vanessa Hirst killed herself days before her 27th birthday last year.

Her mother Maureen Gray has vowed to raise £10,000 in her daughter's memory.

She said: "We've raised £7,800 so far. There isn't enough research into mental illness and there needs to be a lot done so we know more about it.

"I don't want to feel that she died for nothing at all.

"Our fundraising might ease the pain a little but it doesn't take it away."

Vanessa hanged herself in her kitchen in May, and it was her mum who found her body.

The suicide note said: "I love you all but life is too much of a struggle. I can't go on feeling this way for the rest of my life."

Mrs Gray, 55, said: "She had been suffering from depression for two years but before her illness started she was always full of fun.

"The week before she died I thought she was coming round.

"She even said ' I could scream - why didn't I finish university?'.

"I told her she was still young enough to pick it up again and carry on.

"She looked well so it didn't set the alarm bells off."

Vanessa lived with her grandmother in Hipperholme while she attended Bradford University to learn media studies for about 18 months.

After being admitted to a mental health unit in 2003 following an overdose, she went to live with her mother and stepfather Paul in Keighley Road, Illingworth, Halifax.

Before her death Vanessa had moved into her own home in Siddal, Halifax.

Vanessa's brother Mark is gearing up for the next fundraising challenge in her memory.

He will be walking the Great Wall of China next year with his partner Claire Collins. To sponsor them, or to find out more about the family's fundraising efforts log on to www.justgiving.com/nessienoo. All money will go to the Mental Health Foundation.