08 Nov Movember – How’s your Mo?
What started in 2003 in Melbourne as a bit of a laugh among friends has evolved into a hugely successful charity spanning twenty countries around the globe.
The idea behind the Movember movement is that changing your appearance fosters a conversation, which in turn encourages awareness – originally awareness of testicular and prostate cancer. Sixteen years later, the Movember message has grown to include mental health & suicide prevention and now funds over 1,250 men’s health projects globally.
So – what are the rules?
If you’re someone able to grow facial hair, you show up on clean shaven on the 1st November and take a photo to prove it.
Then, it’s pretty simple – you have 30 days to grow and groom your upper lip hair, extra points for unusual styles. You could even recreate the look of a famous tache wearer. Waxed handlebar moustache à la Rollie Fingers anyone? Or perhaps something a little more subtle like Clarke Gable in Gone with the Wind?
You can then donate the money you would have spent on grooming (razor, salon visit etc.) to a charity for men’s health.
Women and those unable to grow satisfactory facial care can take part in their own way. Be that through encouraging the men in their lives to Move more, in line with Movember’s new campaign or by donating to charity themselves. Razor brand Billie has taken it one step further, launching a campaign spreading the message that women shouldn’t feel ashamed of their facial hair. And to help the Mo Bros they’re matching 100% of contributions to the company, up to $50,000 (£38,815).
Other brands are getting involved, too. Gillette is selling limited edition Movember shaving kits – and will donate £5 to charity for every kit sold. Yo Sushi are hosting ‘Mate Date Mondays‘ where diners can receive 25% off meals, and those growing moustaches can receive special discounts based on the size of their moustache! They’ll also be donating 10p from every plate of gyoza sold for all of Movember.
So what are you waiting for? Get Mov-ing.