A WIDOWER battling depression with the help of line dancing has dished out heartfelt thanks to those who have supported him.

Dennis Saunders, 72, handed out flowers to a group of women who have helped him to get back on his feet following the death of his wife Jeni around five years ago.

He gave out flowers to his sister-in-law Sue Makin, as well as fellow members of a line dancing class, all of which have helped him battle depression.

Mr Saunders said: “I have been going to the line dancing classes for about four years on and off and these ladies have been so good to me.

“Last autumn I was quite depressed and I didn’t want to go out much but my sister-in-law got me down to Tai-chi and in March Margaret Hose from line dancing said ‘Why don’t you come back to line dancing? We miss you’.

“I did go back and they have been a great help and I wanted to show them my appreciation.”

He now regularly attends classes, run by Julie Gabriel, at Mynydd Isa and in Halkyn.

Mr Saunders, of Coed Onn Road in Flint, lost his wife Jeni, 65, to Motor Neurone Disease about five years ago, while his son David Llwelyn Saunders took his own life in 1987.

He said both tragedies had impacted his mental health, but he was now feeling better thanks to the generous help of others.

Mr Saunders, who also has seasonal affective disorder, said: “They have got me back on my feet again – they are always very nice to me.

“Sometimes they tease me because I am the only bloke there, but it is great fun.

“I feel much better now.”

Mr Saunders said the concentration required for line dancing was part of what had helped him.

He said: “The concentration you need because of the different moves and steps is what helps me. You have to be really concentrated and it is good exercise as well as being good for the mind.”

He handed out flowers to Margaret Hose, Julie Gabriel, who runs Dj’s line dance, Chris Bentley and sister-in-law Sue Makin last week, as well as providing food and refreshments for them.