Last month Military and civilian staff at the Defence School of Transport have endeavoured to cultivate a stylish moustache, all in aid of Movember.
Movember is a global challenge where the usually fuzz free men of the world grow a moustache. The aim of the challenge is not only to raise funds but also to raise awareness of men’s health, in particular for prostrate and testicular cancer. Being diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer is just the first step of a very complicated journey.
Men and their families depend on high quality information to help them make well informed decisions concerning their treatment options. With Movember funds, Prostate Cancer UK is able to continue to provide up-to-date, awarding-winning and free information resources to men when they need it most.
Capt (Retd) Paul Melbourne decided that DST could help raise funds for Movember and invited military and civilian staff to take part in the challenge. Paul said “I saw the Movember initiative advertised and thought “we could do that”, so I recruited some willing, and some not so willing volunteers to help me raise the profile of Men’s Health at DST, whilst also raising funds for the charity.
DST personnel are no strangers to fund raising, usually competing in marathons, bike rides and many other forms of physical activity, but Movember gave us the opportunity to raise funds and have a laugh without even breaking into a sweat. I want to thank everyone that took part, especially as this challenge fell over the Remembrance period and sporting the beginnings of a new growth is not an ideal look. It was definitely worthwhile but I can foresee many a clean shaven face turning up for work in the next few days.”
DST’s perfectly groomed moustaches (and more than 1 resemblance to Keith Lemmon) were judged by an independent panel of 3 on Thursday 29 November 2012 and with 23 gentlemen to inspect, it was not an easy task for the judges, however, it was a very close shave but I’m sure you will agree that Major (Retd) Peter Todd is a very worthy winner, taking 2nd place was Mr Kevin Hanley and joint 3rd place went to Mr Mick Richardson and Mr David Knott.
Peter said “The final was great fun, especially seeing all the efforts people had gone to in aid of charity. It was a great honour to be judged the winner, although the true winner was not me, it was Movember, and I hope our small effort goes a long way in supporting the work they do.”
Final fundraising figures have yet to be confirmed, but the lovely gentlemen of DST have so far raised over £1,663.00
Well done to everyone who took part!
