The mother of Harrogate singer-songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw, who died suddenly aged 26 last week, has set up a fundraising page to help people with diabetes overcome mental health problems.
Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, was a popular and well known figure on the Harrogate district music scene. He was a regular at the Blues Bar, where he first performed and at many other venues, such as Hales Bar.
Sammy Oates, his mother, told the Stray Ferret she was in “complete shock” at the loss of her son “who had the most infectious smile”.
Sammy said she believed Aaron went into a diabetic coma but a post mortem would be held to ascertain Thursday’s cause of death.
She added he had struggled massively to cope with being diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic at the age of 18 and had recently been treated for ketoacidosis, which affects people whose bodies don’t produce enough insulin.
“Aaron touched a lot of lives. He was only 26 but packed a lot in. He also worked as a barber and played rugby for Otley when he was young.
“He was such a bright shining star and an absolute social butterfly. Everyone knew him and he never had a bad word to say about anybody.
“What I remember most is his smile. He had the most infectious smile. There was always a twinkle in the eyes.
“He had a heart of gold. We lost the family dog as well last week and we were all devastated about that.”
A gofundme page set up by Sammy has already raised over £3,000. Donations can be made here.
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She said the money would be used to provide mental health support to people with diabetes. Mental health and diabetes are usually treated separately and there was a need to provide a service that addressed the two issues together, said Sammy.
“Aaron hated being diabetic. He couldn’t handle it and he didn’t take his insulin.
“Because he was a musician he was in the party scene a lot. So at 18 when all his friends were out partying he was at home injecting himself.
“It’s a bit of a vicious circle. Diabetes is massively life changing so he’d get down about it and then not want to deal with it.”
Memorial show
Sammy said a memorial service would be held at St John’s Church in Bilton where he and his family were christened. She also plans to stage a memorial show next year.
Aaron, who was due to perform in Wakefield this weekend, started gigging at 15 and shortly afterwards released an EP record. His mum was a singer and he regularly watched bands with his dad, Sam Bertenshaw.
He played the guitar and his vast musical influences included Ed Sheeran and Leonard Cohen. Besides playing in venues, he busked for cancer charities when the disease claimed the life of his uncle at the age of 42. Sammy said:
“If we can just help one person it will all be worthwhile. Perhaps we could find a counsellor who could advise on living with diabetes rather than just the medical side of things. Maybe set up a charity. I just know I need to do something and I need to do it in his name and now while everyone is aware.”
Aaron leaves Sammy and her partner, Jonathan, dad Sam and his partner Fiona and a sister, Ruth.
Sammy described the Blues Bar as “a huge part of Aaron’s life “.
Simon and Sharon Colgan, the owners of the Blues Bar, paid a joint tribute to Aaron. They said:
“Aaron sang in the Blues Bar from the beginning of his career. He inspired other young musicians and was never demanding of attention
“He was a warm, intelligent and gifted young man who was giving and thoughtful towards others
“He is a part of our blues family, known and loved by everyone We will always have fond memories of Aaron. It is such a tragic loss to us all.”
