Sheffield students step up for ‘Movember’: A recap of the month’s highlights

Each year, Sheffield students come together in full force, putting their creativity and facial hair to work for a powerful cause: Movember.

For those of you living under a rock, this is an annual campaign which sweeps the globe every November, where people take part in fundraisers (most commonly growing a moustache) in order to raise awareness for men’s health issues including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

After catching up with the University of Sheffield’s Movember Ambassadors earlier this week, it’s clear that Sheffield societies this year have really outdone themselves this year – currently ranking fifth in the university leaderboard with a whopping £66,767 total, smashing their target of £60,000.

Reflecting on this great achievement, they stated: “We are happy to help fundraising efforts in any way we can but of course can’t any take credit for the amazing work done by our Mo bros and sisters this year.”

With some staches growing wild, and some upper lips unfortunately almost as bare as when the month began, students at both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam have really gone all out to raise awareness. So, here’s a rundown of all of the amazing things that Sheffield students have pulled out the bag this year.

‘The Movember Hour’

UoS’ Movember Ambassadors have been on a mission this month, rallying societies across campus to join the movement while rolling up their own sleeves for some incredible projects.

Among their highlights is the launch of “The Movember Hour” on Forge Radio – a weekly show packed with special guests who have been going above and beyond for men’s mental health.

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In their own words: “We can’t thank everyone enough for their commitment to men’s health this month. We have raised a huge sum of money which can truly help to save lives. Keep it up Sheffield. Mo well!”

Engineers Rugby  

Engineers Rugby have really upped their game this time round, smashing last year’s sum of £2,135, with an awe-inspiring £10,021 raised so far – and they’re not done yet. The club successfully hosted a 12  hour rugby marathon, where games ranged from five a side to 40 a side, somehow keeping the ball moving at all times. Talk about stamina.

And if that wasn’t impressive enough, they also tackled a 100k bike ride. Individual team members have been getting stuck in to – with bake sales, press – up challenges, and some are even planning to run a marathon on 4th December. Hats off to you guys.

Charity sec, George Goldsmith, said: “Currently 60 men commit suicide every hour globally and it’s the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. We want to do everything we can to help fight this. It’s so important for everyone to get involved as much as they can for Movember whether it’s growing a tache or just donating to someone’s page it all makes a massive difference”.

Medics Running

A group of medics took a running challenge to the next level. The idea? Simple: Run non-stop as a club for a full 24 hours. They split the time into 24 different slots, with people running in groups. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though as Monday night brought some heavy snow.

Whilst most of us were wrapped up in blankets and debating with our housemates whether we should fork out for an hour of heating, these determined lot were pushing on – trying desperately not to slip.

Some members took it to the next level, running for two hours in these conditions at 3am in the Peaks. These incredible efforts paid off and the group managed to raise over £400.

Lacrosse

The Lacrosse club have been embracing the Movember spirit, taking on some impressive challenges. Kicking things off with a thrilling  6 a side football match with American Football society (ending in a 2-2 draw).

They also suited up in full Lacrosse gear and powered through ten laps around Crookes Valley Park. Whether it’s on the pitch, in the park, or out in the community, they’ve made every effort count. Well done guys.

The team shared: “We think it’s important to keep raising money for Movember as men’s mental health awareness is incredibly important and any stigma surrounding it has to be removed so everyone can be open with how they feel.”

Cricket

The cricket club have also been smashing it this month with some fun and successful events. Their quiz night brought flatmates, housemates, mates of mates all together for a lovely evening.

The meaningful cause prompted many donations upon entry, totalling a hefty £450. And, to sweeten the deal, the club gave away some pretty decent prizes – loads of SUCC merch, crates, and most importantly razors for the committed stache (or stubble) growers.

Six members are also set to take part in a 24 hour game of “One Hand One Bounce” which is light-hearted take on cricket. Is a trivial, yet universally understood game that requires almost no equipment, minimal explanation, and no particular skill needed – just a bit of fun.

Club Captain, Jack Robinson, said: “It’s a challenging event to organise and execute playing for 24 hours in the cold, day and night, is no easy feat. However, this challenge mirrors, in a small way, the struggles that many men face every day.”

Medics Rugby

The medics rugby lads have gone above and beyond, raising an incredible £4,862, again smashing last year’s total. Members braved daily ice baths, strutted their stuff in the fashion show, and conquered the “Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge”.

With 43 team members stepping up, special mentions go to Robbie Cameron, Jack Creasy, and George McCurrach for leading the charge in donations.

The club shared: “We stand for inclusivity and pride ourselves on our sense of community that we have. At the forefront of this inclusivity, is our active encouragement to check in on your mates and the importance of reaching out if things aren’t okay”.

Hallam Rowing

The Hallam rowing team took part in a “Walk and Talk” in the peak district to raise money – and let’s just say, the classic British November weather did not make it easy for them.

With icy winds, and early sunset, and a group split on whether to keep it short, things got interesting. Luckily, Charity Officer and walk leader Niamh channelled her inner mountaineer, calling the shots and putting the team’s safety first (don’t worry no-one got left in the dark).

The walk was more than just a fundraiser – it was a statement of support. They stated: “Our club consists of men and women, so we wanted to do it for anyone who is connected to the cause – family, friends and anyone who is close to us, which is why we are proud to have made a difference,”

Tennis

And last but certainly not least, Tennis raised their highest total as a society to date, racking up an impressive £2100. Which was £500 more than last year. With more members jumping on board, the club have displayed spectacular lineup of moustaches, whilst taking running challenges to keep the momentum going strong.

Society member, Dan Fearon, explained: “We love taking part and encourage anyone to become a Mo – bro/ Mo – sister and raise as much money as possible!”

A massive congratulations for all Sheffield students that have taken part in Movember this year. Not only have you raised vital funds, but you have shone a light on the importance of mental health and breaking stigmas. Whether you grew a moustache, ran a marathon, tackled icy baths, or simply supported from the sidelines, you’ve made a real difference. See you next Movember.