Movember madness

IN November 2003, Australian friends went a whole month without shaving their moustaches to raise money for charity.

Now, ten years later, Movember has become a recognised part of the calender with 1.1 million people registering as 'Mo's.' Supporting over 560 men's health charities the annual event has raised £94 million and now takes place in 21 countries.

The main focus in the past few years has been men's mental health charities but money raised also goes towards prostate and testicular cancer charities.

Adam Garone, Movember co-founder and CEO said: "Whilst the quantum funds is truly impressive, what is equally important are the conversations and awareness about men's health."

There are hundreds of different forms of mental illness that effect both men and women, but, in the UK young males have higher levels of suicide than any other social group. Jonathan Phillips, 21, suffers from mild

[caption id="attachment_1192" align="alignright" width="168"] Movember is a light hearted way to raise money for an excellent cause.[/caption]

depression and raises money every year for the cause, he said: "I do Movemeber every year with three other friends. It's important for people to realise that mental illness can effect anyone and sufferers might be unaware they have it or be too embarrassed to go a get help." He added: "Its a great light hearted way to raise money and awareness for a serious cause but also to help remove the stigma attached to mental heath issues."

Chester joined in the fundraising this year once again with those young and old from schools to offices and nightclubs donning either a real or drawn on beard to promote the cause.

Related articles

• Grow a Mo' for Movember (getyouseen.wordpress.com)


• Movember (thesocaleediary.wordpress.com)

Santa's Dashed through Chester for Charity

SANTA’S filled the streets of Chester on November Sunday 8^th to raise money to support two local charities.

Almost 1,400 people took part in the Santa Dash fundraiser to show their support for the ‘Baby grow appeal’ at the Countess of Chester Hospital and ‘Hospice of the good shepherd charity.’

[caption id="attachment_942" align="alignright" width="300"] Santa's gearing up to start the dash (pic: Countess of Chester fundraising team)[/caption]

In total the two previous dashes have raised just under £80,000 and organisers hope to increase this sum significantly when calculations of this year’s dash are confirmed in January.

Proceeding from this year’s dash will contribute to the £3 million appeal to build a new neonatal unit more than double the size of what the hospital currently has for better facilities and more privacy for the patients and families.

The 3k run started at the Riverside Innovation centre and made its way around to the finish line at The groves near the well-known restaurant, Hickory’s.

Ricky Challinor from the Doubletree by Hilton Chester team won the race in just 10 minutes and 10 seconds, whilst others strolled around taking up to half an hour or more.

Mr Challinor is a regular runner; he has represented GB in mountain running and completed the Chester half marathon last year.

As well as serious runners the event attracted various participants from babies being pushed around in buggies to older members with walking sticks.

[caption id="attachment_941" align="alignright" width="300"] Participants pushing themselves to get through the last stretch of the course (pic: Eddie Evans, Flickr)[/caption]

Kathy Kenney, events fundraiser at the Countess of Chester is very pleased with the success of the fundraiser, she said: “We are trying to encourage people to send in all of the fundraising money to us as soon as possible, every penny is very important to us.

“Like last year we have a competition for those who have managed to raise over £50 and pay it in by January. Those people will be entered into a draw for the chance to win £750 of wining, dining and shopping vouchers.”

Links to Charities:

http://www.hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/

http://www.coch.nhs.uk/fundraising/babygrow-appeal.aspx

Chester Intelligencer reporter, Lisa Jones