The Ipswich skateboarding community has come together to celebrate the life of an international star described as a ‘hero’.

Ipswich Star: Ben Raemers, who died last month, is being remembered at Ipswich skate park tomorrow Picture: LEE BLACKWELLBen Raemers, who died last month, is being remembered at Ipswich skate park tomorrow Picture: LEE BLACKWELL (Image: Lee Blackwell)

Friends of Ben Raemers, 28, who was born in Essex, but lived in Ipswich for many years, unveiled a mural in his memory and are hoping to start an open conversation about men's mental health.

Ben died in May and since his death tributes have been flooding in from across the skateboarding world ahead of his funeral on Monday, June 3.

Described by friends as fearless, international eyes were set on Ben from as young as 14 when he pulled of a 540-spin in front of a crowd of more than 1,000. At the same age, he was sponsored by world-famous streetwear brand Volcom.

His rise to fame seemed unstoppable as he made his way to Los Angeles to skate for the iconic skate companies Enjoi and éS footwear professional teams. He was later sponsored by Converse shoes and Independent Trucks.

Lee Blackwell, from Ipswich, discovered Ben's talent with his friends Mark Munson and Carl Wilson, at a small skate park in Essex when he was just nine years old. They watched him go on to become "one of the best skateboarders in the world."

Speaking about the memorial, Lee said: "We just wanted to do something to show how much we love him, he's been such a big influence on skateboarding in Ipswich.

"There are lot of memorial paintings for Ben popping up at skate parks across the UK trying to raise awareness of men's mental health. We need to talk about this more."

One local skateboarder said: "I watched Ben grow. We would see him come down to the skate park and he just grew into this pro skateboarder who got to travel the world.

"A lot of the skaters looked up to him. Two people I spoke to yesterday at the skate park said he was their hero and they both had tributes to him on the bottom of their skateboards. He made a real impact."

Ipswich Star: Ben Raemers,28, who died last month, had a massive influence on the skateboarding community in Ipswich Picture: CONTRIBUTED BY LEE BLACKWELLBen Raemers,28, who died last month, had a massive influence on the skateboarding community in Ipswich Picture: CONTRIBUTED BY LEE BLACKWELL (Image: Contributed)

The artwork, which has been funded by skateboarders in Ipswich, has been designed by Jon Horner. After unveiling the work, the local community joined for a skateboarding session from 4pm followed by 'Beers for Ben'.

The community has also continued to pay tribute to fellow skateboarder and friend to Ben, James Mills, who was found dead in June 2017.

Samaritans are available to talk to 247 on 116 123.

Ipswich Star: Ben Raemers has been on the skateboarding scene in Ipswich since he was nine, here he when he was younger sitting on the shoulders of his friend Lee Blackwell, who has helped arrange his memorial. Picture: CONTRIBUTED LEE BLACKWELLBen Raemers has been on the skateboarding scene in Ipswich since he was nine, here he when he was younger sitting on the shoulders of his friend Lee Blackwell, who has helped arrange his memorial. Picture: CONTRIBUTED LEE BLACKWELL (Image: CONTRIBUTED)

Ipswich Star: One of Ben Raemers favourite quotes being painted in his memory by the artist Jon Horner Picture: LEE BLACKWELLOne of Ben Raemers favourite quotes being painted in his memory by the artist Jon Horner Picture: LEE BLACKWELL (Image: Lee Blackwell)