Movember: Changing men's lives one step at a time (November 2023)

Movember is an annual event which involves raising money for men's health, both mental and physical. Movember takes on suicide prevention, prostate cancer, testicular cancer through the money people raise. 

This Movember there are so many different ways to raise money and so many people raise the money for different reasons.

Some regular participants explain what they are doing for Movember and why:

Sam Bourke, a 23 year old, Active member of Mobros Rugby from Uxbridge said,

“I have been blessed to be involved with Mobros and Movember for around 6 months now after being inducted in April by my good Fraser Macdonald-Lister, I suspect this was due to my average playing ability and general “good vibes”. Obviously I heard of and participated in Movember before at my secondary school, of course I jumped at the opportunity because at my school we weren’t allowed to have facial hair during the normal term time. More to the point, over these short six months of meeting new people and socialising with others involved with the charity I have certainly learned a vast amount about some of the struggles that men go through on a daily basis and I count myself extremely lucky to have not endured anything like this in my 19 years on the planet.

“Before we step out onto the pitch whoever the Captain/coach on the day reminds the men who are playing that day of the Mobros motto and what it means to be a Mobro, it usually goes something like this ; “just go out there and remember to have fun, but also remember what the badge on your chest represents.” I don’t know about you but it usually gets me quite fired up before stepping out on the pitch.”

The Movember foundation has given so many people hope, especially those with a more personal story.

Harry Cleary, a 25-year-old Fundraising Operations Assistant at the Movember Foundation from London shares his story.

“I chose to attempt 56km each Saturday in November in memory of my father. The distance represents the 56 years of my dad’s turbulent, but incredibly impactful life. My dad would never open up about his feelings. I want to show men the importance of talking and asking for help if they need it.”

 

“As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety myself, I sought physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms. Sadly, my dad didn’t have the same escapes and instead he leaned on the vices of life. Alcoholism, and the intertwined battle with his own mind, tragically claimed his life in February of this year. As a young man, watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m determined that won’t happen to me.

“I want to do all I can to highlight the issues I have faced, as well as my dad, to try and help other men. I know I’ll be completing all my Ultra Marathons with my dad.”

For everyone Movember has a different meaning and mens health needs more awareness. On average, men are dying 4.5 years earlier than women, for largely preventable causes and that is why this charity is so important.

Fraser MacDonald-Lister a 25 year old Management Consultant from Richmond said 

“My Mo growing journey began in my second year at university, when I became a Movember Student Ambassador. I had lost my Dad to an unexpected heart attack at the age of sixteen and battled with chronic depression since, leading me to attempt suicide twice during the first year of my studies. Becoming a Movember ambassador was my first step on the path to self-acceptance and self-care, as I knew I had to take better care of myself as a representative for men's health. Movember has introduced me to a community of weird and wonderful men who all share a common goal: to stop men dying too young. The charity has helped me to help myself while helping others. To me, Movember means having fun while doing good.”

Jack Bell a 23 year old Student From London explained 

“I do movember because of the men in my life who don’t feel like they can talk about their troubles. I started because my best mate at uni had been going through his own battle with mental health and I wanted to show my support. 

Through this I’ve met so many amazing people at movember who’ve shown me how important looking after yourself is. It really opened my eyes. It’s a charity that really cares and it shows in the personable nature of everyone who works for and with them.

I’ve done quite a few different things for Movember. I led my uni rugby team to the top of the Movember leaderboard and 24th in the UK in 2021, in 2022 I ran from Durham to Newcastle and raised £5,500. This year I’m doing 20 challenges for 20 years including cycling around the M25, Deadlifting Big Ben, and running a marathon.”

Fraser also explained what you can do to take part in Movember, and what he does.

“There are three main ways to take part in Movember: grow a Mo, move for Movember, and host a mo-ment. Alternatively, you can "mo your own way", choosing your own adventurous challenge to raise funds and awareness for men's health. As the founder and club captain of Mo Bros Rugby, I am doing all four! On Saturday the 25th of Movember 2023, our men's (Bros), women's (Sisters) and university (Students) teams will compete against barbarians-style opposition at Richmond Rugby Club for the coveted James Lister Memorial Cup. The teams are invitational, representing the best of the Movember community, and we are excited to come together and play the sport we love in the name of the mighty Mo. Your readers can visit https://movember.com/m/mobrosrugby to donate £10 and secure their tickets today!”