Matt Dee, a former Bondi lifeguard who appeared on Channel 10’s Bondi Rescue, has died, with the news announced on Wednesday by his clothing company, FTW Revolution.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our Matt Dee,” the FTW Instagram announcement read.

“Matt touched the lives of many, he also did amazing work and he will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him.”

The company said funeral details would be shared once his loved ones had finalised them.

Dee worked as a Bondi lifeguard for 10 years and was featured on Bondi Rescue from 2008 to 2017.

Tributes from friends and family quickly followed the announcement, with one person describing him as “one of a kind”.

Bondi Rescue star Trent ‘Maxi’ Maxwell wrote, “rest easy brother” on FTW’s post.

“Hope you’re at peace with your family,” another said.

“A legend within humanity. Matt, my dear second son, at peace with JD and Rach, sucking oranges with gran,” wrote a third.

FTW Revolution was launched by Dee in 2014 after mental health had profoundly shaped his own life. In the same year, he tragically lost two siblings. His older brother, Jonathan, had battled bipolar disorder and died in 2009, while his younger sister, Rachel, who lived with schizophrenia, also died, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Those losses had a deep effect on Dee, and he went on to devote himself to supporting people dealing with mental illness. He became an ambassador for the Schizophrenia Research Institute and founded FTW Revolution in 2014.

FTW raises money for suicide prevention and worked closely with Suicide Prevention Australia. A spokesperson for the organisation told Yahoo Lifestyle that Dee’s death was tragic.

“Matt reached many through his advocacy, making a positive impact in suicide prevention, a cause he cared for and championed,” they said.

“This is upsetting news, and we encourage anyone who requires support to please reach out for help – it is available and can make a difference.”

In 2011, Dee spoke to The Sun-Herald about the deaths of his siblings.

”What happened was not their fault,” he said.

”They did their best to manage their illnesses. It wasn’t their fault.

“They had a problem inside their heads. It’s something we don’t understand. How would we know what it’s like?”

He later became an ambassador for the Schizophrenia Research Institute and launched FTW Revolution in 2014.

If you or someone you care about needs mental health support, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14, MensLine on 1300 789 978 and Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Online support is also available through Beyond Blue.