Movember is here! Whether or not you can 'grow a Mo' or you're just wanting to raise awareness, then there is a lot on offer this month for you to get involved with.
Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men. To kick off the month, we'll be hosting our first Wellbeing Week of the year, with events and activities both online and in-person we can't wait to get started and meet you all.
This year we'll be running lots of different fundraising events throughout the month but one of our star attractions is our Movember raffle. Throughout November we'll be running the raffle and selling tickets with some really incredible prizes including; Pandora jewellery, two Hellfire comedy night tickets, 3 Months free BNU gym membership, and much much more. Tickets will be available in the foyer outside The Venue for £2 a ticket or why not grab yourself a line of 5 tickets for £5? We'll be there every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday and we hope to see as man of you there as possible. Prizes will be drawn by Tom, your Vice President Student Involvement, at the end of the month.
Speaking of Tom, he'll be stepping up to the saddle this year as sets himself up for a 60 mile charity cycle. Starting at the High Wycombe Campus, Tom will then be heading across to the Aylesbury Campus and then on to the Uxbridge Campus before making his way back and finishing at the High Wycombe Campus. This is covering around 60 miles to commemorate the average of 60 men who lose their life to suicide every hour. If you'd like to show Tom some support you can ride alongside him and keep him company on his mission or you can join us on the High Wycombe Campus whilst we cheer him on. If you would like to take part in the cycle, you can drop Tom an email on tom.featherstone@bucks.ac.uk.
Tom Featherstone, Vice President Student Involvement, knows how important fundraising for Movember is. “This year is my fourth year taking part in the Movember campaign. Despite it being an excellent excuse to grow the Moustache back once again, fundraising for something that I believe is an amazing cause is what drives me eac year to get invovled. As someone who has struggled with their mental health throughout the years, but especially whilst at University, I can relate to the stories and understand from a first-hand experience what its like. Whether it's for a dad, brother, son or a mate all the money raised goes to an amazing charity who do so much for men's health and wellbeing.”
Tom isn't all on his own this year though as we have two fantastic Movember Ambassadors joining us who are really keen to support the campaign. We thought we'd get you ready for the month by giving you a little introduction so you can get to know them a little better.
Brandon Tester, “I’m currently a third year Education Studies student. The reason behind me wanting to step up for this role is because mental health has impacted my life massively over the course of my learning journey. I understand, and know from first-hand experience, what the impact of ill mental health such as depression and anxiety can have on men. I'd like to be open about my journey in dealing with ill mental health and hope you'll be able to learn from it and hopefully see what we can do to create positive mental health throughout next month so, please keep a keen eye out across the Students' Union channels."
Maya Jones, “I’m on the Dance and Fiitness course here at Bucks and I wanted to become a Movember Ambassador as I feel that not only is it a really important leadership role but it's a fantastic way to help raise money for a good cause. I’ve always been involved with fundraising events since a young age from fun runs to bake sales and who can say no to a huge raffle? By becoming one of the Movember Ambassadors, I can combine my previous knowledge to help raise awareness and money for the charity. I know how important a charity like Movember is and what it means to people as I've experienced a loss due to suicide when I was younger and having support at a time like that is just so crucial. I can't wait to help fundraise for an organisation who offers so much more opportunity for men the way Movember does.”
Your ambassadors have already been working hard before Movember even arrives to make sure there's plenty of opportunity for you to get involved. One of the first fundraising events coming up is our Movember games night on Tuesday 2 November. There are going to be so many different activities, games and quizzes to take part in over the course of the evening and all in aid of raising money for Movember. The cherry on top of such a great evening? If you enter our Movember raffle before games night, you can get a voucher for a FREE drink and 50% off of pizza that you can redeem at the event.
If you’ve got any spare money over the month, please consider donating it to an amazing cause or even fundraise yourself by growing your own moustache and joining our Mo team.