November in the City of London brings with it a new Lord Mayor, the last rush of the year before everybody heads to the pub for December, and, of course, facial hair fashion crimes for a good cause.
For 10 years, the annual Movember campaign has inspired men all over the UK to grow a
moustache to raise money and awareness for men’s health problems; including prostate and
testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
It is thought around one man dies every hour from prostate cancer in the UK, with around 42 men diagnosed every year, according to the Movember Foundation. Organisers are aiming to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.
Many in City began this week clean shaven and ready to coax their facial hair into an array of fantastical designs, and local businesses are getting involved too. Here are some ways you can support the cause:
Go 12 rounds
Aldgate boxing club 12×3 is joining the fight for better men’s health, calling on gym-goers to grow a mo and raise funds for the Movember Foundation for the chance to spar with their elite coaches like 2013 IBF Middleweight World Champion Darren Barker. Darren says: “12×3 is all about using the power of boxing to help people lead healthier lives. Men often don’t like talking about the health issues they are facing. We have to change that. During November we’re calling on people to get down to 12×3, grow a moustache and support a great cause.”
12x3gym.co.uk
Make your way around the Monopoly board
In November 2016, Twenty Pegs founder Greg Martin embarked upon an ambitious month-long creative journey around the London Monopoly board, in support of Movember; 30 creations, in 30 locations, in 30 days. There were more than 110 collaborators following one narrative, and all for one great cause. 30-30-30: A London Tale celebrates this achievement with a week-long exhibition and arts programme while adding new perspectives to the already rich stories that sit at its heart.
20 to 26 November, 10am to 5pm
2 Finsbury Avenue EC2M 2PA
Okay, but coffee first
A warm coffee and a treats sounds like the perfect morning, why not doing it while addressing some of the biggest health issues that man are facing nowadays? In the Grad’s Cafe at the Student union will be offering all the information you need to participate helping raise money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
16 November, 10am to noon
The Grads Cafe, Student Union Building, 103 Borough Road SE1 0AA
Treat yo’self to some wrist candy
Swiss watchmaker Oris has launched a special edition watch for the campaign in its capacity as official watch partner for the Movember Foundation. The Movember Edition is based on Oris’s hugely successful Divers Sixty-Five, a heritage piece inspired by an Oris diver’s watch first introduced in 1965. It has rose gold plating and a hand-engraved logo for the special release and retails for £1,800. Oris will donate percentage of sales towards the Movember Foundation.
www.oris.com
Spicing things up
Inspired from Sean Evans Hot wing challenge, Drapers Lounge organises a competition on who can eat six wings of incremental spiciness for 5 rounds without blushing or tearing. Also you need to do is make sure your team can keep up! It will be £12.50 to compete and £2 to attend the event. All proceeds go towards men’s health research. You can register your team at [email protected].
21 November, 6pm to 9 pm
Drapers Lounge, 7 Godward Square E1 4FZ
