THE BROTHER of Kieran May-Cunningham, who died aged 26 last month, has spoken of the talented, funny and chilled out person, friend and brother he was.

Nicknamed the Island's best skateboarder, Kieran's body was found on Thursday, September 20 at Newport Cemetery.

"Everyone knew him as a skateboarder," said Declan. "He won every competition he entered and was just a typical skateboarder really — he loved music, sitting up the skate park, playing his guitar."

Kieran was born in Annan, Scotland, as the second youngest of six. After some time in and out of foster care, Kieran was adopted with his five siblings — Declan, Janice, Joanna, Ashley and Kevin — to the Isle of Wight when he was three years old.

He grew up in Alverstone with mum, Sandra May, and dad, Larry Cunningham, and attended Arreton and Broadlea Primary Schools and Lake Middle School.

At age 11, Kieran and his family travelled the world. They saw Australia, New Zealand, bits of Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tunisia.

"We visited this famous skate park in New Zealand and went to to the X-air, a huge skating competition, and we were told we couldn't skate in the park," said Declan.

"He was probably only 11, but Kieran jumped the fence, had his little session, got rugby tackled by security and chucked out, but he was so proud that he had his little go in the big park.

"That's what he was like really. A go-getter. No one's going to stop him. If someone told him he couldn't do something, he'd be like, 'I can do that'."

After travelling, Kieran started at Cowes High School before moving to the Isle of Wight College to do a fitness course. Kieran soon left the fitness course, stating: 'I didn't realise I had to be fit as well'.

It was at this point that Kieran pursued his love for music and studied drums at Platform One.

"He loved playing the drums and he'd take his snare drum out with him because that's the only part he could carry easily. Someone would bring their guitar and he would love to sit there jamming away, playing a little beat."

When he finished education, Kieran had a son, named Marshall, and became a barman, mixologist and cook, working in restaurants from The Melville Hotel to Subway and mixing drinks at the Balcony, Bottega cocktail bar and the Black Sheep Bar.

Declan said Kieran often drank more than he sold and would party with all the customers. "His favourite cocktail to make was the pornstar Martini, probably because of the name."

The Saturday after Kieran's death, Declan, Kevin, Janice and Joanna held a tribute to Kieran at Newport Skate Park.

More than 200 people joined them at the park throughout the evening and large artwork sporting Kieran's initials was sprayed on the ramp.

"It's down to Kieran really — he was such a big part of everyone's lives. He's the common factor in all of this, he was the centre of his own hub.

"He was a bit of a lady's man, a bit of a joker. He was always silly and never took anything too seriously."

Kieran's soft spot for dogs meant everyone brought their dogs to the tribute, as everyone's canine friend was Kieran's dog, too.

"Dogs are definitely his spirit animal," said Declan. "Everyone brought their dogs to the skate park. He must have just walked around and gone to everyone's houses and asked to walk their dog."

The family are hosting a memorial for Kieran using money raised from a gofundme page set up by a family friend.

Declan said: "It will really help with everything. There won't be a big massive send off but there will be a Kieran send-off.

"My mum can't believe it, how much money is coming in. She's getting a lot of help from it. You don't imagine a community will pull together like that."

Declan said Kieran, although having his demons and troubles, was making the steps to help himself.

"He did call out for help and he went to Portsmouth for a course to help him with his emotions and how to deal with things. There were a few times when he thought he had hit rock bottom.

"It highlights the problem more because we were 100 per cent aware of his issues and we didn't think this would happen. We always assumed if it got to this point, he would reach out to us."

Declan said he urges everyone who is worrying about someone to speak out and talk to them.

You can talk to the Samaritans on 116 123.