Grow sideburns to help men at suicide risk

Raising awareness: Adam Torr launched The Sides of March charity after his friend committed suicide

A Londoner has told how the death of his best friend inspired him to launch a Movember-style charity to raise awareness about suicide among young men.

Adam Torr, 34, and a group of university friends have launched The Sides of March foundation following the suicide of close friend Jeshan “Jesh” Ahmed, a procurement officer, at 36.

They are calling on Londoners to grow sideburns throughout March to draw attention to the plight of young men at risk and raise money for charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm).

Participants are asked to post pictures online. At the end of the month, the best sideburns will win a Caesar award and the wearer will have the chance to be the face of next year’s campaign. All proceeds will go to the charity, whose name derives from the Ides of March. Statistics show that suicides are most common in the spring months.

UK figures show on average more than 12 men a day commit suicide — the biggest killer among men aged under 45, according to the Office of National Statistics. Mr Torr, who works in recruitment, said he was “determined to do something positive” following Jesh’s death.

He said: “Jesh was integral to our friendship group. It came completely out of the blue. But that is why this campaign is so important. To get people talking about suicide and look out for the warning signs.”

For more information and to create a fundraising page, visit: thesidesofmarch.com or justgiving.com/thesidesofmarch.

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