The loved ones of a late Swindon teenager have saved a bench installed in his memory. 

Ashley McKinnon took his own life at the age of just 17 in 2014. 

After his death, Ashley's former girlfriend Atlanta Holmes and her mother Paula spent two months fundraising for a bench dedicated to him to be installed at Queen's Park. 

In the years since it has sat there inspiring strangers to look up his name and find out who he was until recently, when South Swindon Parish Council told Atlanta that she needed to pay to renew the bench in place. 

She did not have the £702.46 needed, so set up a GoFundMe page where friends, family and members of the public were successfully able to raise the required amount of money. 

Ashley McKinnonAshley McKinnon (Image: Family)

The bench and handprints from Atlanta and two of Ashley's friends were reset in Queen's Park on July 9.

On the GoFundMe page, Atlanta wrote: "We are fundraising to keep Ashley McKinnon’s name alive.

"Ashley was loved by many and tragically took his own life in 2014.

"We all raised £1,400 10 years ago to have the bench placed at Queen’s Park however now they need £702.46 to keep the bench in his name.

"I know plenty of people love to visit the bench and it is important to so many people."

Atlanta met Ashley at the beginning of 2013 and began a relationship with him last summer.

Ashley, who would have celebrated his 18th birthday on August 12, 2013, had been working with Talent Express, a firm which provided vocational skills for adults who want to develop their learning. 

He had resided in Radnor Lodge, a supported housing scheme for young men, though he had begun to spend a lot of time with Atlanta’s family.

Ashley's death was ruled a suicide by a coroner in July 2014. 

Many of Ashley’s family and friends were at the court and Mr Singleton heard him described as a very pleasant and popular young man who was undergoing training to help him get a job.

Sarah Higgins, Radnor Lodge keyworker, said “All the lads here liked him. He would come into the office and chat to staff, he was always well-liked here and there was no bad feeling towards him and he had no enemies."