Fundraising success for University facial hair
More than £7,000 raised by University of Leicester staff and students for Movember
Students and staff at the University of Leicester have raised more than £7,000 for men's health causes by growing moustaches as part of the annual international Movember campaign. Prizes for the best moustaches were awarded at a parade of facial hair in the University of Leicester's Students' Union on Friday 30 November.
More than 70 students and members of staff took part in Movember. Members of the Rugby Club, the Cricket Club, the Mixed Hockey Club, the Running and Athletics Club, Leicester Longhorns (American Football), the Rowing Club and the Big Band all took part, along with staff from across the University.
On the last day of the month, contestants lined up in the Students' Union where their efforts were judged by Karlie Evans, Students' Union Fundraising and Volunteering Coordinator, Professor Gordon Campbell from the School of English and Ady Dayman from BBC Radio Leicester.
Prizes were awarded to Politics and International Relations student Iwan Haines for Best Student Moustache, Senior Internal Communications Manager Ross Tarbard for Best Staff Moustache and Economics student George Harris for Most Money Raised.
The campaign and competition were organised by the University's Staff Health and Wellbeing Group, who set up a stall on campus on Thursday 1 November to distribute information about male health, and did so again on Friday 30 November alongside the parade and prize-giving.
In addition, on Friday 23 November a free talk on men's health was given to students and staff by Professor Roger Kockelbergh, consultant surgeon in urology at Leicester's Hospitals and Honorary Reader at the Leicester Cancer Research Centre.
Nicola Junkin, Staff Health and Wellbeing Lead, said: “Movember has been a tremendous success at the University this year. It’s well-established that men can be very resistant to health messages, so Movember is a really good way to reach a male audience. We're so proud of everyone who has taken part, raising funds and awareness. It's been great fun, but with a serious message.”
Founded in 2003, the Movember Foundation raises funds for projects addressing prostate cancer, testicular cancer and male mental health. The total raised by University of Leicester students and staff in 2018 was £7,026. Donations can still be made via our Movember website.