A Surrey mum has climbed the UK’s tallest rollercoaster in memory of her son - whose name is permanently inscribed on the attraction.

Vanessa ‘Ness’ Hale, 47, from Knaphill, climbed 236 feet (72 metres) to the top of Hyperia at Thorpe Park carrying a photograph of her son Luke Westerhold, who died by suicide in May 2025.

Luke, who lived in Woking all his life, had spent around a decade working at Thorpe Park after joining the theme park at the age of 16.

He watched Hyperia take shape during its construction and was one of 30 members of staff chosen to have their names engraved on the rollercoaster.

For Ness, climbing to the summit of the ride earlier this month was a chance to honour that connection, and to share one more sunset with her son.

In one of his final letters to his mum, Luke had written: “No matter where we are, we all share the same sunset.”

At the top of Hyperia, Ness held Luke’s photograph as the sun went down over the theme park that had been such a huge part of his life.

The challenge was particularly daunting because Ness has a fear of heights.

“I think he was with me in some way,” said Ness, who has two other children.

“It was really cloudy that day, then it all cleared and there was a beautiful sunset.

“My knees were knocking together all the way. I went into adrenaline mode because I was so scared.”

But her climb has now raised almost £3,000 for Men and Their Emotions (MATE), a charity supporting men with their mental health and addiction.

Ness also hopes telling Luke’s story will encourage men who are struggling to seek help.

She described her son as a “born showman” who was kind, funny and had “the biggest dimples in the world”.

“Everywhere he went people loved him because he was a born entertainer,” she said. “He had a real sparkle about him. He had time for everybody and would always make people feel good about themselves.”

Luke was a huge Arsenal fan who loved magic tricks and watching Thorpe Park videos.

His family also nicknamed him “Mr Christmas” because of his love of the festive season.

Around 300 people attended his funeral at Woking Crematorium, with many wearing Arsenal shirts. Despite the service taking place on a hot day in June, his outgoing song was Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday.

Behind Luke’s outgoing personality, however, he had struggled with addiction and his mental health.

Ness said he became addicted to cocaine and alcohol and spent time in rehab in Scotland in 2024.

“I’m proud of him for trying because beating an addiction is one of the hardest things in the world,” she said.

Ness said Luke suffered a relapse shortly before his death.

She described losing her son as “the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life”.

“When I wake up, he’s the first thing I think about and the last thing I think about at night,” she said.

“What could I have done differently? What did I do wrong? There are no answers.

“With suicide you don’t get any answers. Their pain becomes your pain.”

Ness is now trying to turn her grief into something positive by raising awareness of men’s mental health, addiction and suicide.

“I see it as pain to positive, pain to purpose,” she said.

“I couldn’t save Luke, but if I can share Luke’s light to help other men, this is what I’ll continue to do.

“In sharing his story, as hard as that is, if I can help other people then I’ll have achieved what he wanted.

“There has to be something positive to come out of such a horrible, traumatic experience.”

Ness hopes eventually to establish a charity in Luke’s name and continues to share his story through Luke’s Light and the message #TheSunWillShineOnYouAgain.

Her Hyperia climb has so far raised almost £3,000 for MATE.

To donate to Ness’s fundraising appeal, visit Luke’s Light for Men on JustGiving.

If you have been affected by issues raised in this story, Samaritans can be contacted free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.