This November, the University of Aberdeen’s staff and students are proudly joining the Movember movement, raising both funds and awareness to support men’s mental and physical health.
Movember is a global movement, dedicated to fundraising for some of the most pressing issues faced by men in the modern world. The charity, as detailed on their website, recognises the crisis of male health that is unfolding across the globe – whether it be mental health, prostate cancer, or testicular cancer.
Individuals can sign up as part of a society or sports team, with members nominating themselves to take on the challenge of growing a moustache.
Each team contributes to the university’s overall Movember effort, with universities across the country joining in friendly competition to see who can raise the most funds.
Aberdeen’s Movember team has spoken to The Gaudie, detailing their reasoning for taking part in the hairy initiative.
“I think we all joined Movember because we see the importance of men’s mental health, and we want to be of the solution.
Mental health, testicular cancer and prostate cancer are taking men out of everyone’s lives way too early, and Movember is the leading charity that works on making men’s lives longer and happier.”
Some of the individuals in the UoA Movember team spoke about their personal reasons for taking part in the challenge.
Thomas, a 4th year Engineering student, recalled:
“I have had family members in need, and I have needed help myself – No one ever deserves to be alone when they need help”
Another fundraiser, Finlay, a 2nd Year Engineering student, wants to remove the shame from speaking out about mental health, saying:
“I want to help those who find it difficult to find support or feel ashamed to speak out”
The team also highlighted the importance of staff and students getting involved in the cause:
“Staff and students should join for the same reasons we did! It is super easy too. Just sign up via the link in our bio (@abdnmovember on Instagram).
Signing up also allows you to take part in the university challenge, where we have been competing to raise more money than other universities across the country. “
If you can’t grow a moustache – no worries! There are plenty of other ways to get involved.
First and foremost, donate! You can support individuals taking on the moustache-growing challenge by sponsoring them directly. These sponsorship opportunities are easy to find online, allowing you to choose exactly who you’d like to support with your donation.
If donating directly isn’t for you, there are multiple fundraisers this month to support the cause. There’s a quiz night at The Foundry on the 13th, a fun run/polar plunge at the beach on the 24th, and last but not least, a charity football match between the University’s football and rugby club on the 29th, hosted at Hillhead.
So far, UoA is 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for fundraising, so join the Movember movement this November and help make a difference in men’s mental and physical health – every bit counts!
