HE WAS the “life and soul” of the snooker team: A talented and fun-loving player who was happiest when playing on the green baize in his beloved club on Rake Road.

But for the joy of every frame-winning black or sizeable break, Steve Murphy often experienced the polar opposite away from the confines of the Liss Royal British Legion (RBL).

“He had a few bad spells but his depression was never diagnosed,” said Paul Murphy, about the mental illness which led to the death of his 41-year-old brother.

“He could have been schizophrenic, he could have been a manic depressive – we just don’t know because he was never diagnosed. I think a lot of people don’t get diagnosed. It was only after he died that we looked at MIND and realised their help was what he needed.”

The spirit of ‘Murphy’ lived on in the RBL on March 26 as a race night in aid of the mental health charity and the Rosemary Foundation raised nearly £500. Village businesses donated prizes to a raffle.

MIND, which provides advice and support to people affected by mental health problems, is campaigning to raise awareness of the “hidden disease” and to improve its services.

Liss RBL chairman Kevin Woodford suggested raising money for MIND as he was a close friend of Steve, who took his life at the village railway station on June 6, last year.

He said: “Steve was the life and soul of the party when he was out. Snooker was a big part of his life and Thursdays, when we got together and played, were probably the highlight of the week for him.”

Paul hopes the event will be enough to prevent someone else going through the same tragedy that he and his friends and family experienced. He said: “If this helps one person then it’s been worth it.”