Male mental and physical health issues have been brought to the forefront during the month of November.

Watford Labour councillors Dennis Watling and Matt Turmaine took part in Movember and raised £565 while growing their moustaches.

Movember has become a world-wide awareness month that was set up to help support men’s mental health and suicide prevention, as well as funding prostate cancer and testicular cancer research projects.

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This was Cllr Watling’s fifth time participating.

He said: “Having begun shaving aged nine and needing to shave twice a day in order to stay clean shaven, it’s only fair I use my almost mutant like ability to grow facial hair to raise money and awareness for an issue that is very close to my heart.”

Cllr Watling’s father was sectioned after two suicide attempts.

Sadly, he passed away aged 42 from a heart attack.

Watford Observer: Councillors Dennis Watling (left) and Matt Turmaine (right) at the start of their journey. Councillors Dennis Watling (left) and Matt Turmaine (right) at the start of their journey. (Image: Dennis Watling)

Cllr Watling said entering his 30s and seeing his friends settle down made him feel he was going “nowhere,” until he sought support from Movember.

“From then on, I feel I owe it to others to participate in fundraising activities,” said Cllr Watling.

Cllr Turmaine said: “It can be harder to pick up the phone and ask for help.

Watford Observer: Councillors Matt Turmaine (left) and Dennis Watling (right) on the third week of the charity month. Councillors Matt Turmaine (left) and Dennis Watling (right) on the third week of the charity month. (Image: Dennis Watling)

“Movember offers invaluable support to help people do so.”

If you would like to donate to the cause, visit https://uk.movember.com/team/2429812.

* AN earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Cllr Dennis Watling's father had ended his own life.

This was incorrect. His father had attempted to end his own life twice but both attempts had failed. He died from a heart attack aged 42 that was not the result of a suicide attempt. 

The heart attack was a result of a previously unknown hereditary heart condition which saved the lives of three of his siblings following resulting check-ups that required urgent surgery. 

The story now accurately reflects this.

The Watford Observer would like to apologise for this unacceptable and distressing error that has caused pain and upset to not only Cllr Watling, but family members, friends and fellow members of the community who know the family.

We apologise for the error and accept that our standards have fallen short on this occasion. We are happy to set the record straight.

Unfortunately, this error was repeated in the newspaper published on Friday, December 16th. This apology and correction will be published in the newspaper edition of Friday December 23.

If you are struggling with your mental wellbeing, please contact Samaritans for confidential support. You can call them free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

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