A LOCAL construction worker has braved the shave for a mental health charity.

Stuart McEwan, 51, shaved off his much-beloved beard in aid of Blyth Star Enterprises who work with people with mental health issues enabling them to lead meaningful lives in their community.

Stuart was inspired by his company’s own positive attitude towards mental health and wellbeing. He said: “I’ve been growing

my beard for the past decade

“My wife and daughters had been nagging me to get rid of it, but the more they protested how much they hated it, the more resolute I was to keep it.

“It had gotten to the point where they were threatening to shave me in my sleep when I saw an email at work asking for employees to come up with ways of raising money as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

“I figured that if I was going to have to lose my beard, I might as well do it for a good cause!”

“Farrans places a really high emphasis on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace,” Stuart added as he spoke of his company’s admirable work in mental health awareness.