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Throughout the month of November, thousands of men up and down the UK take part in a range of activities to raise money for Movember, a charity focused on men’s health. The most iconic fundraising effort is for men to not shave their top lip for the entire month, becoming a ‘Mo Bro’ in the process. Josh Newbury, the Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, will be taking part for the fourth time in an effort to raise money for Movember’s mission to improve awareness and treatment of mental illness, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Having previously raised £302 for the charity, Josh will be growing out his moustache for sponsorship. Josh said: “Although no one particularly wants to see my blotchy, gingery tache, Movember is such a brilliant cause. They are strong advocates for men’s health, both mental and physical, which is so needed, particularly when it comes to breaking down stigma around talking about mental health and getting checked out for prostate cancer.” Movember regularly produce reports and studies to highlight issues men face with healthcare. Last year, Movember’s The Real Face of Men’s Health report found that 64% of men live with symptoms for a week before getting a GP appointment, and that 42% have experienced gender bias from a healthcare provider. Movember have also published detailed analysis on premature deaths amongst men, breaking it down by each of the 650 constituencies represented by MPs. This found that premature deaths in the Cannock Chase constituency are 16% higher than the UK average (putting it 171st out of 650) and 29% higher than other rural constituencies, including neighbouring constituencies in Staffordshire and Walsall. Josh added: “We have come a long way in breaking down stigma around mental ill health and diseases that affect only men, but still three quarters of lives lost to suicide are men. And when men are still living four years less than women on average, we know we have to keep fighting for improvements in awareness, treatment and wellbeing. This is Movember’s mission which is why I am delighted to be supporting them for another year.” Anyone wishing to sponsor a ‘Mo Bro’ should look out for their ‘Mo Space’ – an individual fundraising page. You can view Josh’s Mo Space here.
