DAD’S MEMORY MO-TIVATES TIKTOK STAR TO HELP
HAMLYN Heights young gun Will Taylor is preparing to grow out a luscious moustache ahead of another Movember campaign.
Mr Taylor first became involved in the annual cause that aims to break down the stigma around men’s mental health while he was a student at St Joseph’s College.
“I first got involved seven or eight years ago,” he said.
“I just want people to understand that sharing emotions and being vulnerable is normal and we don’t have to hide any of it.”
Mr Taylor lost his dad to suicide 11 years ago and said that was his biggest motivator to grow a mo in November each year.
“He would be just rapt for me, even if I wasn’t doing it for him and was doing it for other people … he was such a giver.”
Mr Taylor is also a TikTok rising star, sharing comedy and sports content with his 13,400 followers on the platform.
He plans to grow the conversation around men’s mental health through his social media following.
“I’ll probably do a lot more videos on TikTok talking about how it’s really normal to show your emotions, even crying to your mates is normal,” he said. “Everyone puts up these walls, especially men.”
Mr Taylor has pledged he will get a tattoo of the Movember moustache logo somewhere on his body if he reaches his $2000 fundraising target this year.
He said it could become a good conversation starter for the cause but is still undecided about where the potential fresh ink could go.
“The funny spot would be the backside but I’ll probably get it in a spot where people would see it,” the 21-year-old said.
“I might get it on my ankle.”