A FAN-tash-tic time was had by all at Lawn Manor Academy and Royal Wootton Bassett Academy last month as both students and staff helped raise money for Movember.

Both schools, which are part of the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust, decided to increase the competition between both sites as part of the annual fundraiser in order to raise money for the Movember Foundation.

The charity aims to save and improve the lives of thousands of men through projects focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Staff refrained from shaving for the entire month of November and over 10 members of staff took part.

Lawn Manor Academy director of humanities Andrew Bull pipped lead professional pastoral Marek Koza with the most raised for charity.

On Thursday, staff and students supported their colleagues and teachers by donating £1 to wear fake moustaches for the day and a total of £528.15 was raised.

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy deputy headteacher Steven Paddock, who took part, said: “We wanted as a staff body to highlight for the young men of both RWBA and LMA that they must be more aware of their health in every sense.

“The statistic that men die on average six years earlier than women through purely preventable reasons seemed something that we needed to shout from the rooftops.

“There has been constant interest in some splendid facial hair throughout the month at both schools and the young men have now become much more aware of their own health and have hopefully been empowered to break down taboos around talking about their health.”

To donate, visit https://uk.movember.com/team/2298257