A TAVISTOCK teenager is shaving off his long locks in aid of Samaritans to raise awareness of the taboo issue of teenage suicide.

Barney Treseder, 18, who works as a lifeguard at Meadowlands Leisure Centre, has been growing his dreadlocks for the past two years.

He will have them shaved off on April 4, in memory of a close friend Dagmara Przybysz, who tragically took her own life on May 17, 2016 at the age of 16.

He said his efforts to raise £500 for Samaritans were prompted, too, by conversations with close friends who were struggling with suicidal thoughts.

‘I really wanted to raise money and awareness and try and get help for those who need it,’ he said. ‘I have had a few close friends come to me in the past and confess that they have been struggling with these thoughts and they didn’t know where to go to for help. I thought I’d try and raise some money for Samaritans, to give something to the people who need their services.’

Barney, who lives in Boughthayes, said he still missed Dagmara, known by friends as Daggy. They were at school together at Pool Academy in Redruth in Cornwall, before Barney moved with his family to Tavistock two years ago.

‘She was one of those people who just have a voice,’ said Barney. ‘Her speaking voice was beautiful and her accent, and she was such a beautiful person. I knew her for about three years before we moved away.’

An inquest held last summer recorded a verdict of death by suicide, hearing that Dagmara, who was Polish, had been found dead in her school toilets.

Dagmara lived with her parents in Redruth and would visit Barney and his family, who lived at nearby Lanner.

He said that getting rid of his dreadlocks seemed a fitting thing to do in memory of his friend.

‘I have been growing them for about two years,’ he said. ‘Sometimes people need a change, and I thought if I was having a change then why not do it in one of the most giving ways possible?’

Barney’s efforts are being supported by his mum Louise, stepdad Daniel Sibley and brother Frankie, 15.

Louise said: ‘Barney loves his hair and to get rid of it is a big deal for him. He hasn’t had his hair cut since Daggy died and he wanted to shave it off to raise money to raise the issue of teenage suicide, and particularly for Samaritans.

‘He is such a selfless person. I’m not surprised for one second that he’s doing something like this and as a family we are very proud of him.

‘I think it is very important to raise this issue. Meadowlands are very proud of him too.’

Barney’s head will be shaved by a colleague from Meadowlands, who is also a hairdresser, outside the leisure centre beside the park at noon on April 4.

• The Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2017 revealed that in the UK, female suicide rates are at their highest in a decade.

Samaritans offers help to everyone — including anyone under 18.

The organisation offers a safe place for a person to talk any time they like, in their own way about any subject, no matter how old they are. The organisation’s primary responsibility is to the caller, not parents or a guardian.If you need help, you can call Samaritans any time, free of charge on 116 123. Visit the website www.samaritans.org to find out how the charity could help you.