A RUGBY player is throwing away his razor to help raise awareness of male suicide.

Reece Patterson will join team-mates at Currie Chieftains in embracing the moustache over the next month as part of the Movember campaign.

The former North Berwick High School pupil, who also played for the town’s rugby club, was keen to do his bit for the annual campaign.

Movember aims to tackle a range of men’s health issues, including testicular cancer, prostate cancer and mental health.

Reece, 24, said: “There is still a way to go in terms of awareness about mental health.

“A lot of people are probably still, not scared to talk about it, but think it is not very manly to talk about it.

“Over the last few years, it has improved. You can see that with social media and national mental health awareness day.”

The national campaign is aiming to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25 per cent by 2030.

Reece, who lives in Gullane, has launched a campaign on social media in a bid to raise awareness and money for the charity.

The Edinburgh College student, who plays as prop and previously represented Scotland at under-18 and under-19 level, said: “I’m just going to grow [a moustache].

“I don’t know how much will come through, though – I’m not a hairy person at the best of times!”

To support Reece, go to mobro.co/13987374?mc=1