Tomorrow marks a year since Dylan Aylward, 19, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Wodonga and Mrs Rudd wants March 15 to be about hope and celebration.

The Albury mother has organised a barbecue at the Hume Dam wall to raise money for beyondblue’s work on depression and anxiety.

“If I’ve got to have significance to this day then I want it to be a big day, a happy day,” Mrs Rudd said.

Dylan died after the motorcycle he was driving crashed on a bend on Emerald Avenue.

While he did not take his own life, Mrs Rudd said her boy suffered from severe bouts of depression.

A friend of Dylan and his family, Susan Groenen, 20, from Howlong, said his death continued to cause waves among their group.

“It’s really, really hard,” Miss Groenen said.

“They just need to know they’ve got someone to talk to, that they’ve got to realise how many people love them.”

Mrs Rudd hoped the barbecue would be an outlet for friends to talk about Dylan and their own emotions and battles.

“I want them to know there are people out there who will help, that you’ve got to talk,” she said.

Border butchers Peters & Son and Scott’s Jones Street Butchery, Smart’s Bakery in Lavington and Coles have donated food and soft drink for the event.

Mrs Rudd said she would be shaking tins and selling baked goods to collect cash donations on the day to raise money for beyondblue.

The barbecue at Lake Hume Village will be held from noon and Mrs Rudd said all were welcome.