After enjoying this year’s Guy Fawkes Night fireworks and bonfires, it’s time – if you’re a man – to grow that moustache! Yes, it’s moustache month – Movember is under way for another year, which may explain why you’ve seen a strip of hair growing under the noses of many men.
It’s now established in the calendar that November is when many people try to raise awareness of the serious issue that is men’s health, many by growing a tash and raising money for good causes. Movember sets out to highlight men’s health issues, such as the alarming male suicide rate, and prostate and testicular cancers.
Growing a moustache to raise awareness like this began when some Australian men started it back in 1999. It’s a fun way of spreading a serious message and it soon spread around the world.
It’s considered that a man’s November moustache – called a “mo” for short – is a ribbon, in a similar way that other awareness campaigns have coloured ribbons. Men who “wear” this month-long ribbon are known as “Mo Bros”!
One of the big things this year is to encourage men to put one foot in front of the other to raise funds for men’s health. “Move this Movember” is a campaign to get men running or walking 60 kilometres (about 37 miles) over the month. It’s 60 kilometres for the 60 men tragically lost to suicide each hour, every hour.
If you’d like to take part but don’t fancy running outside in the cold, wind and rain, remember we have treadmills. Ask you family and friends to support you with a donation, and then get running. Fitness, raising awareness and raising money to help save lives all in one!
We hope to see you (and your moustache) with us soon! For more details on Movember and how to get involved, visit: https://uk.movember.com
