Gary Speed's parents: 'end the stigma of depression'

The family of former Newcastle United player Gary Speed has been in Durham today, meeting up with famous sportsmen and women from across the region for a memorial golf match in his name.

Gary died in 2011. His family said they believe he was battling depression at the time of his death, and want to encourage more people to talk openly about the illness.

Watch Frances Read's report:

The family of former Newcastle United player Gary Speed have been in Durham today (June 1) meeting up with famous sports heroes from across the region for a memorial golf match in his name.

Gary died in 2011. His family said they believe he was battling depression at the time he died, and want to encourage more people to talk openly about the illness.

He was a Tyneside hero having scored more than 40 goals for Newcastle.

He was described by Sir Bobby Robson as one of football's finest role models.

Gary Speed was found hanged at his home in November 2011. His mother and father, Carol and Roger Speed, say they believe he was suffering from depression, but that he felt he couldn't talk about it - even with them.

Gary Speed's family have turned this need for awareness of depression into an annual event.

This is the third time a golf match has been held in his memory to raise money for charity.

Friends and family of the late Newcastle United player Gary Speed will take part in a charity golf tournament later in aid of the Foundation set up in his name.

For the past two years, the event has been held in Wales but this year, organisers have decided to host it in the North East. Money raised will also go the Toby Henderson Trust, a local charity for autistic children.

Over 140 golfers will be there including celebrities Alan Shearer and Kieron Dyer. The game gets underway at 1pm.

Gary Speed was found dead at his home in Cheshire in November 2011. At his inquest the coroner ruled that it was not clear the former footballer had intended to take his own life, saying his death could have been an accident and recording a narrative verdict.