Caring group of Portsmouth friends continue to remember '˜Shippy' five years on

That’s why five years on, friends and relatives remain committed to remembering David ‘Shippy’ Shipp.

The 27-year-old was found dead at his home in Essex Road, Southsea, in 2011.

Close friends and relatives marked the fifth anniversary of his death with an 11-a-side football match at Priory School, Southsea, where Shippy studied, in a bid to win Shippy’s Cup.

Players wore blue Pompey shirts and salmon pink shirts – Shippy’s favourite colour.

The poignant event raised money for Papyrus, a UK charity helping to prevent suicide in young people.

And a charity dinner was held at Southsea Leisure Park.

It included entertainment, food, a DJ, and an auction with gifts donated from businesses and Pompey.

In total, £2,860 was raised for Papyrus.

Shippy’s best friend Phil Carpenter, of Copnor, said: ‘We have tried to do something every year in some way.

‘Because of that friendship and camaraderie we had, and the fact we grew up together, we knew we wanted to continue keeping his memory alive.

‘Marking the fifth anniversary was something we felt we needed and wanted to do.

‘We still mark his birthday, and go to visit his grave where he was buried at Milton Cemetery and have a beer for him at The Brewers Arms pub.

‘We also do what we do to help the charity Papyrus and all they do in helping with the fight against mental health and the stigma that surrounds it and raise as much support and awareness for similar families that need the charities help.’

As reported, Phil raised more than £8,000 to pay for Shippy’s funeral, with the help of friends and donations.

He also took a flag bearing his picture with him to Mount Everest. As part of the 19-day challenge he climbed to South Base Camp in Nepal.