Grow the mo

Officer Fire Brigade volunteers Justin Van Den Broek, Brad Gysberts, Sheikh Zaki, Chris Morgan, Brandon Matthews and Michael Van Den Acker are taking part in Movember. 220094_01

By Jessica Anstice

As Movember launches its month-long campaign, Officer Fire Brigade volunteers have been asked to ignore the itch and support men’s health issues.

Now in its 17th year, the campaign aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide.

CFA volunteer Chris Morgan is leading the Officer Fire Birgade team in this year’s Movember challenge.

He said the group has set a high fundraising target.

“I don’t think $5000 is too outlandish between around nine or ten of us,” Mr Morgan said.

“But even if we get halfway there, every dollar goes towards helping fund another counsellor or supporting organisations like Men’s Shed that help bring men together to talk.”

While the campaign encourages people to grow a mo, Mr Morgan said the fancy facial hair isn’t the only way that CFA members will be participating in Movember, with Mo-Bros and Mo-Sisters able to fundraise through fitness challenges, or by hosting virtual events.

“Obviously at the moment it’s a bit hard for people to have gatherings in Victoria, but there are lots of people who will be taking part in the Move for Movember challenge and running, walking or riding a few kilometres,” he said.

“It doesn’t really matter what you do as it’s just about getting out there and making sure people understand what Movember is about.”

He said Movember’s First Responders Challenge also adds some friendly competition to the fundraising efforts.

“A bit of rivalry always helps the fundraising challenge, and of course it’s all going to a good cause,” he added.

“We’ve seen fire trucks and other CFA vehicles included in the effort in previous years and responding to incidents wearing large stick-on moustaches throughout the month of November.”

Registrations can be made at movember.com with participants to shave down before starting to grow the mo on 1 November.