We Could All Do a Little Mo (From Swindon Advertiser)

We Could All Do a Little Mo

6:21pm Saturday 27th November 2010

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The last three and a bit weeks have seen me attempt the impossible. I joined a rare group of valiant warriors and downed my razor in order to grow a moustache as a part of Movember.

If you’re unaware of the Movember challenge, it’s very simple. Throughout the month of November you refrain from shaving the hair from your upper lip and raise cash for the incredibly worthy cause; The Prostate Cancer Charity.

When the idea was first broached in the office I had visions of a thick, bushy, mop of face fluff to envy the hairiest of mo wearers. Then reality slapped me in the face and reminded me I am not the most convincing of facial hair growers and that I should be more concerned about trying not to look like a 70s porn star. Or a sex offender.

However, while those around me involved in the challenge resemble great moustachioed figures such as the charming Tom Selleck, the enigmatic Freddie Mercury or the knowledgeable 118 joggers, I’ve assumed the look of a 90-year-old cat fish nibbling on krill, waiting to die.

Pathetic. That’s the best way to describe my moustache. Imagine sucking nine stone from the belly of Father Christmas, stretch his legs by about a foot, shave his beard off, and dye the middle section of his moustache a mousey, gingery blonde, leaving two tiny tufts of white whiskers at the corners of the mouth, then you’ll get an idea of how I look right now. Exactly. You don’t need to say anything, I know how daft I look. But that certainly hasn’t stopped people mentioning it!

“I thought you were doing Movember?” a friend asked last week. “It’s freaking me out,” said another. “It tickles my face,” Steve…I mean… my girlfriend complained. So I apologise to all of you out there hoping to see me grow a moustache, and those who sponsored me. I have failed you.

Although, I’m proud of the money I’ve raised so far for those in desperate need for a helping hand.

Last year my family was rocked by the news my brother-in-law, and one of my best friends, had testicular cancer and I’ve seen first hand the affects that can cancer can have on a group of people.

I’ve not only seen it pollute the body of a man I hold dearly to my heart, I’ve watched it climb into my family and systematically work its way through everyone involved, making them experience unnaturally high levels of hurt, anger, inadequacy and vulnerability.

I’ve also seen the other side.

I’ve seen a team of dedicated doctors act quickly, efficiently and sensitively to prevent the unthinkable from happening.

I’ve seen a strength develop inside him and my sister too powerful to put into words that puts a lump in my throat just thinking about them. A strength that glued my family together and kept us smiling during a time that could have crippled a young married couple with a 2-year-old son. A strength that helped the most naturally gifted mother and father I’ve ever seen manage to overcome the devastating news that they can no longer have children. And a strength that got him back on his feet, back to work, and safely back to normality.

I’m pleased to say he had his yearly check up this week, and things are looking good.

But this doesn’t mean we can’t do something to help those who haven’t been as lucky as my brother-in-law. So If you do only one thing today, please copy the link below into your internet browser, 'click donate to me' follow the simple steps and donate as much or as little as you wish.

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/527266/

Not for me. Not for my mo. Not even for my brother-in-law. But for every family currently experiencing a situation I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

Cheers.

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here