Hair-raising month for Movember men (From York Press)

Hair-raising month for Movember men

7:57am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

IT’S that time of year again, when clean shaven men banish the razor and shaving foam to support charity.

Teams around York are signing up to take part in Movember, which sees men being sponsored to grow a moustache throughout November and helping to raise thousands of pounds for male-specific cancer charities.

Jamie Paddock is a trainee solicitor with Pryers Solicitors and formed the ten-strong group to help to raise awareness of the event and the diseases behind it.

The 23-year-old said he hoped to raise upwards of £500 for the charity.

Jamie said: “None of us have done it before or usually have facial hair. A few of us were talking about it, and we just thought we’d give it a go this year.

“None of us should have to appear in court, but there will be a few meetings we will have to attend, but hopefully that can raise some more sponsorship. It’s all for a good cause and will raise money and awareness.

“I haven’t got a style in mind yet, I’ll just see what grows, but a few handlebars are planned.”

Last year, members of The Press newsroom took part in the challenge, under the team name Tash For Questions, and raised more than £1,000 in 30 days. Teams from council officers, care organisations and accountants, were among more than 854,000 participants around the world which helped Movember to raise £79.3 million.

This weekend, a special folk night will be held in support of the charity. The Mo’ Folks’ Folk Night will take place on Saturday at the Guy Fawkes Inn in High Petergate from 6pm, with Movember teams invited to help raise even more money for the challenge.

Another event taking place for Movember is a bicycle ride organised by Fulford Cycles which leaves York Minster at 11am on Sunday, November 25.

The event will follow a six-mile route around the city and the group hopes to gather at least 50 moustachioed cyclists for the ride.

For more information, call into Fulford Cycles or look out for posters which should appear around the city over the next few weeks.