Ladies and charities, rejoice: Movember 2014 is complete.
Deriving its name from a portmanteau of “moustache” and “November”, the Movember Foundation aims to “change the face of men’s health”, by raising awareness and money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health problems.
This year, almost 12,000 New Zealanders signed up to take part, including Richie McCaw, Black Caps players, and several politicians.
More than $1 million was raised by the end of the month, and a spokeswoman said additional funds were coming through today at a rate of about $5000 an hour.
Launched in 2003, the Foundation challenges men (“Mo Bros”) to grow moustaches in November, with support from “Mo Sistas”. To date, 4 million moustaches have been grown worldwide, with $709 million raised for over 800 programmes in 21 countries, according to its website.
Last year, participating Kiwis raised more than $1.5 million for Movember men’s health partners, the Mental Health foundation of New Zealand and the Cancer Society.
“The Movember moustache is leading the charge in raising crucial awareness and funds for men’s health,” Robert Dunne, New Zealand Country Manager for Movember said.
THE TOP KIWI EFFORTS
1. THE HANDLEBAR (AND MOST FAMOUS MO’): All Blacks captain Richie McCaw created mo’ history when he played his 100th test with a striking trucker moustache in 2011. This year he led the way with a classic slug, taking on the challenge to lead the hairiest All Blacks team ever into their end of year tour. There’s no denying this is a fine bit of lip hair, although it is a bit patchy where the mo’ and bars meet. A bit of eyebrow pencil would’ve done the job.
2. THE TEAM EFFORT: The Black Caps got behind Movember this year, and raised almost $3000 for the Foundation. Special mention has to go to these two (their handiwork is light in colouring, but strong in form) …
3. THE TIGHT BUT BUSHY CROP: ACT party leader David Seymour single-handedly raised more than $900 for his mo, saying a health scare had prompted him to take part this year to raise awareness of testicular cancer among young men in particular. (A mo’ is particularly handy when rowing on a machine in the midday sun – catches the sweat nicely).
4. THE ONGOING MO": Green Party MP Kevin Hague enlisted in Movember to help change the face of men’s health. Hague has said he’s keeping the mo for another month as he also grows a Decembeard to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
5. THE LONG AND STRONG: Edge radio announcer Marty Hehewerth captained his station’s Movember team, and, judging from the results, he took his role seriously …
DUNEDIN MAN GREW A MO’ FOR DAD
Dunedin’s Paul Lawrence this year raised almost $500 with a friend — less than previous years, but this time it was personal.
“Turns out my dad has a form of prostate cancer,” he wrote on his profile. “This year I dedicate my moustache to him.”
Lawrence said it had prompted him to get a health check, and he encouraged other men to do the same.
“It’s not like you’re growing a slug for no reason. It’s great that people are familiar with [Movember] now.
“When you’re walking down the street and you see another guy with a mo, you’ll give him a head nod. It brings a whole lot of people together in quite a unique way.
“It’s the one month of the year when my partner can’t stand me and I get no affection from her whatsoever, but every male I come across loves me. It’s a tradeoff, and I can handle that for a month.”
To encourage his workmates at Nidd Realty to donate, he set himself a “burpee challenge”: For every $1 donated by a member of the company, he did the same number of burpees (an aerobic exercise combining a star jump and press up) in succession.
“I’m a sucker for punishment and I love fitness,” he said.
After doing 138 burpees in just under 15 minutes, was he having second thoughts?
“No, I was a bit sore, but it’s totally worth it.”
– Stuff
top Kiwi efforts this Movember
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen