Local teachers grow mos for a cause

It's that time of year and men across Rotorua are growing out their moustaches for the month of Movember.

Every November Kiwi men are encouraged to grow their moustaches to raise awareness of the biggest health issues men face such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide.

The Movember Foundation is a global not for profit launched in 2003 to raise money for men's health research.

Its aim is to reduce the number of men prematurely dying by 25 per cent by 2030. So far it has funded 1200 men's health projects around the world.

John Paul College teachers Tim Bell, Mat Synge, Jason Liddall and Tom Walker will be looking to raise awareness for the cause, but are still in the early stages of planning.

"Apart from Tim this will be the first time for the rest of us participating in Movember," Synge said.

John Paul College teachers (left to right) Jason Liddall, Tim Bell and Mat Synge compete against each other for the best moustache. Photo/Stephen Parker

"We've created profiles through the Movember Foundation website but apart from that we haven't had much time to set donation goals," Liddall said.

Bell usually rocks a beard all year round so for him to be clean shaven and ready to start fresh was a foreign feeling for him.

"It feels weird seeing my chin for the first time in a while, it's so pale."

Synge jokingly said it was his wife's favourite time of the year because she secretly hated it when he grew out his mo.

Although John Paul College students are not allowed to take part in Movember due to uniform regulations, the teachers hoped they still supported the cause.

"It's important the students realise the meaning behind Movember and develop an awareness around the cause because it's a problem that impacts a lot of families," Bell said.

To sign up for Movember or donate, visit nz.movember.com.