THE funeral of a popular 26-year-old man will take place on Tuesday, his family have announced.

Stu Sim died in tragic circumstances two weeks ago, after being reported missing. It is understood he took his own life. 

The community of Haydon Bridge, where the farm worker grew up, is still reeling from the news. 

Yesterday, Stu’s older brother Phil Sim announced that the funeral would take place on Tuesday, at St Cuthbert’s Church in Haydon Bridge. 

Members of the public will be invited into the church between 10am and 12 noon to pay their respects to the former Haydon Bridge High School pupil. Coronavirus restrictions will be in place. 

The funeral cortège will depart the Sim family home at Strother Close, at 12.50pm. It will journey along Church Street and across the bridge to John Martin Street, and on to Langley, where Stu spent almost a decade as a farm worker. 

From there, the cortège will travel to Newcastle Crematorium, where a private cremation will take place. 

Phil said: “We ask for family flowers only but donations can be made in Stu’s memory to MIND or Help for Heroes.

“Don’t forget however lost you might feel, you’re never alone.”

It comes after Phil launched a campaign to encourage more people to speak out about mental health.

Aged 16, Stu started basic training to become a Royal Engineer, before being discharged on medical grounds.