The Movember campaign, which runs annually every November, is perhaps best known for its moustache growing challenges but has three key men’s health focusses; mental health, testicular cancer and prostate cancer. The leading charity hope to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 15% by 2030. 

Thousands of students took part in the 2020 campaign during the national lockdown, adapting and creating new ideas to stay in touch with their friends and team mates online. Many took up the challenge of ‘Move for Movember’ tracking their weekly walks, jogs and runs with some impressive individual challenges including a 48-hour long team run, marathons and 130km cycle rides.

Speaking on behalf of the Student’s Union, Sports Officer Josie Jessop told us why the campaign was so important to the University community. She said: “It’s so important to put the spotlight on Men’s health, particularly mental health, so that those struggling within our community feel confident to speak out. We’re so proud of how our students have come together during the national lockdown to raise awareness as well as fundraise with so many creative ideas.

I’d to say a huge thank you to everyone involved; from our Students’ Union officers, Karnival team and Movember ambassadors who drove the campaign to all the students and staff who fundraised and donated.”

Stand out efforts included the University of Nottingham Men’s Hockey club whose fundraising effort of over £16,000 raised placed them into the top 20 Movember teams nationwide.

The club ran a series of virtual challenges along the theme of ‘Move for Movember’ as well the traditional moustache growing competition. Some players even completed a marathon whilst others cycled for 130km in a single day.

Callum Bell, UoN Men’s Hockey president, said:

“UoN Men’s Hockey are so proud of the amount we’ve raised and the efforts of everyone at the University. The competition element really pushes us to strive for our goals, whether it’s growing a moustache or running a marathon! The community effort has given us focus during lockdown, allowed us to meet new people virtually and support each other during a really challenging time.

Men’s mental health is so important to us and it’s amazing to think our fundraising could help our friends, family or even ourselves in the future.”

Joshua Doyle, UoN Men’s Rugby president, whose club campaign raised an incredible £11,000 added;

“We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to our Movember cause – thank you! Movember is very close to our hearts – staying on top of your mental wellbeing is so important especially at the moment and we know it’s something many club members find difficult. Our challenges have really united us – all five of our teams supported our 24-hour challenge and it was great to work together off the pitch.”

Donations for the 2020 campaign remain open until mid-December where you can contribute to the University of Nottingham total.