Movember comes to cornwall

Men across the UK can look forward to showing their macho side for a whole month again this year as 'Movember', the charity initiative that aims to change the face of men's health, is set to return to the UK in November.

The phenomenon that is Movember involves men, or 'Mo Bros', with support from 'Mo Sistas', growing a 'Mo' (Australian slang for a moustache) throughout the month formerly known as November, to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity. Last year, its first in the UK, more than 6,000 Mo Bros took part, from fire fighters and paramedics to bankers and lawyers. More than 28,000 individual donations were made, raising over £1 million for the charity in just one month.

In 2008 Movember will be even bigger and better as the moustachioed army expands across the UK. Gala parties, which provide an arena for Mo Bros to proudly parade their Mo's together and win prizes, will take place in Cornwall and Edinburgh, as well as London. More than 1,700 Mo Bro's and Mo Sista's attended the 2007 party in central London where attendees came 'dressed to compliment their Mo' and awards were handed out to individuals and teams.

This year Saturday 29th Movember will see the launch of the Ripcurl Movember Sessions at Sandsifter, Godrevey. The fancy dress charity surf competition will take place from 9am. All entrants must have a moustache and check in at Sandsifter. The competition will be lucky dip format and boards will be provided by Down The Line Surf Shop. For those that would rather watch than surf, a Ping Pong competition will be taking place throughout the day with local DJ's to accompany.

The Gala party kicks off at 8pm and will be headlined by the legendary moustachioed Cuban Brothers (courtesy of SW1 Productions who convinced them to come and play it!). Come dressed to suit your Mo, or your Mo-Bro. Tickets are available at www.movember.com and cost £10. Free ticket with every £80 raised in sponsorship.

Mo Bros are asked to start Movember with a clean-shaven face and gain sponsorship for their Mo throughout the month whilst raising awareness of men's health issues. Participants for this year can register at www.movember.com from mid-October.

"The aim of Movember is to raise awareness about men's health issues. Last year we put a Mo back on the face of more than 6,000 British men and in the process, raised much-needed funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity. This year we expect to see more Mos and a lot more awareness as we expand across the UK" says Justin Coghlan, Co-Founder of Movember.

2007 Mo Bro, Ben Pitt says: "Movember was great fun to do last year. You get to do something you wouldn't normally do, indulge in some male bonding and raise some cash for a worthwhile cause. It's the best charity initiative around and I'll definitely be 'growing' again this year."

John Neate, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity says: "I am myself a very proud Mo Bro. I shaved my moustache last year for the first time in 35 years to take part in the event, and am all set to grow my mo again this year. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Taking part in Movember is a way that all men can do something to support The Prostate Cancer Charity in a really fun way. Growing a 'Magnum' or a 'handlebar' is certainly a talking point and helps us raise awareness of the disease. We were overwhelmed by the success of the campaign last year and are delighted to be working with Movember again for an even bigger 2008. The money raised helps us to continue our support and information work with men and their families living with prostate cancer, as well as fund our growing programme of vital research projects."

Movember began in Australia five years ago by a group of friends who decided they wanted to bring the moustache back into popular fashion and raise some cash to support prostate cancer. Mo fever took Australia by storm and has now gone global with the phenomenon reaching the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Spain, as well as Australia and here in the UK. There are now more than 134,000 Mo Bros across the globe who have helped to raise over £11 million for men's health issues in just five years.

Every year nearly 35,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men; every hour at least one man dies from the disease.

For tickets and further information visit www.movember.com