By Ava Featon, English Literature First Year
Men’s mental health is a topic that tends to be disregarded. Since 2003, the Movember charity have been working immensely to change that. Movember is the number one leading men’s mental health charity. Striving to not only improve men’s mental health and prevent suicide but to also tackle prostate and testicular cancer. Overall, the charity has funded 1,250 men’s health projects, across 23 countries. Famously recognised by their signature moustache growing for the calendar month of November, Movember have impacted a vast number of male lives, and our sport societies want in on the life-changing action.
Combining forces yet again this year were the Women’s Netball and Men’s Football teams who competed in a charity netball game to raise money for Movember. After suffering defeat to the netball girls last year, the football boys called in the Water polo society to see if they fare any better. Happening on the 16th of November from 12-2pm, the three societies faced off in a round-robin tournament where Netball were crowned champions yet again. Paying £3 to compete or donating a sum to watch, this event raised a great amount to charity. Abbie McCarthy, the Netball Charity sec shared her take on raising money for Movember.
'Movember is a brilliant charity that we try and aid every year. What they stand for and strive to improve is vital to our community here at Bristol. Choosing to help them in any way we could was a no brainer for our society and many others.'
From one court to another, the Basketball Society aims to slam-dunk their fundraising this year. The society are growing out their mo’s this month and to encourage donations, the Men’s 1st team will complete shuttle runs for every £10 donated. Willingly putting physical fitness on the line, the Basketball society means business.
The Rowing Society are physicality to a new level by completing a 24-hour row to charity. They continuously rowed two ergs non-stop from 12pm on the 11th to 12pm on the 12th of November. The team had QR codes surrounding their ergs to encourage passers-by to donate. Having already raised an impressive £1921; the rowers are absolutely killing it. For the rest of the month, they will continue to accept donations for the growth of their mo’s
Rather than letting their physical fitness take a battering, the Volleyball Society have decided to put their physical appearance on the line to entice donations. Coinciding with growing out their mo’s the society is proposing a range of forfeits that will be completed by individual members if they can raise their target. Some members have taken tamer forfeits such as ocean plunges for £900 or body waxing for £500. Yet other members are going as far as buzz cuts, ear piercings, or drinking ketchup in the name of charity. Good on you Volleyball!
Moving over to the Women’s Hockey who are hosting a charity bingo event at £2 per ticket and the Cricket Society who are letting their mo’s grow out. They are also coming together to host a society show-down match to build their UOB Movember fundraising pot. Combining their skills, these two societies are seriously putting in the work for Movember.
Finally, we jump over to our three biggest fundraisers from last year. Coming in third place in 2023 on the official Movember Bristol leaderboard, raising an impressive £2475, the Bristol Medics Rugby Society are back this year to make a difference. Again, growing out their moustaches to band together to support men’s mental health. This rugby team are as serious as a high tackle about this movement. Hoping to reach the top three again, the Medics will have to really push the public to regain their podium spot.
Sitting in second place last year was the Men’s Rugby Society, raising a whopping £8438. Desperate for top spot this year, the rugby lads have gotten as many of their members as possible to join in on the ‘grow your mo’ movement. As well as performing well on the pitch, Bristol Uni RFC tend to always score a try when it comes to raising money for Movember. Merging their mo growing money and their money raised from buying Movember t-shirts, the top spot is in range for Bristol Uni RFC.
At the top, we have the society that raised a jaw-dropping £9717 last year. The Men’s Hockey Society do not mess around when it comes to Movember. Already having raised £2173 Men’s Hockey are taking no prisoners this month. Growing out the iconic moustache, this sports team embodies the ‘grow your mo’ slogan. The fight for the top of the Movember leaderboard is going to be fierce so keep an eye on the @movemberbritsol Instagram for regular updates on the battle for the top spot.
The University of Bristol’s sport societies truly are pulling together to kick the stigma surrounding men’s mental health to the curb and so should you!
Movemember website link: Movember - Team
Movember instagram: @movember
University of Bristol's Movemember instagram: @movemberbristol
Featured image: Movember Foundation
