As many of you may have become aware, a number of staff, Sixth Formers and parents have been sprouting facial hair across their upper lips to raise awareness of men’s health issues as part of the internationally recognised Movember campaign.
During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of millions of moustaches around the world. With their “Mos”, men raise vital funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer and mental health. As an independent global charity, Movember’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.
Sidcot has long supported Macmillan Cancer and Women’s Breast Cancer charities, so Movember is a natural development within the school calendar and health awareness programme. Movember challenges men to grow a moustache for the 30-days of November, thereby changing their appearance and the face of men’s health. At the end of last half term Aubrey Bufton introduced Movember to the school in an Assembly and invited staff and school to become involved, and on the first day of of Movember, with a clean-shaven face, start their Mo growing journey. Then, for the entire month, these selfless and generous men known as Mo Bros, effectively became walking, talking billboards for 30 days. Through their growing efforts they raised awareness for the often ignored issues of men’s health, by prompting conversations wherever they go.
This year we have been focusing on awareness rather than fund raising, as school has been focusing on Children in Need and the Philippines Cyclone Disaster relief fund, but if anyone feels able to support funds for men’s health please check out the Movember website, or contact any moustachioed member of staff with your donations.
Movember: a global movement
Since its humble beginnings in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, when 30 Mo Bros first grew moustaches, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 4 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate across 21 countries worldwide. Movember is also aware of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas supporting the campaign and men’s health causes from across the globe, from Moscow to Rio de Janeiro, and everywhere in between. Together these selfless Mo Bros and Mo Sistas have raised £276 million which are funding 577 projects.
For more information about Movember and men’s health issues check out their website.