Movember fund raising effort one of the best in the country

A group of Chiswick men have raised a staggering £21,302.26 for The Prostate Cancer Charity by growing moustaches.

The 'Chiswick Cats' were participating in 'Movember' a worldwide event organised by an Australian based foundation that creates awareness around men's health issues and raises funds for charities with a focus on prostate cancer. All across the world people, including well known sport stars, were doing away with their razors and growing a tache.

Raising more than £20,000 places the Chiswick Cats third in the UK's national league for fundraising effort. The twelve moustache sporting men are all members of the Chiswick branch of the Catholic society for business men and professionals, the Catenians. One of the team, Frank Casali is currently ranked second of the top individual fund raisers in the country.

The group chose this particular charity because the father of team captain and former Wasps rugby player, Phil Hopley, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thankfully, prompt treatment had stopped the spread of the disease and a full recovery has been made.

Since its inception as a formal charity in 2004, Movember has raised over Australian $30 million globally, significantly increasing awareness of prostate cancer in the community, and is continuously working to change the attitude men have about their health.

Movember's beneficiary partner in the United Kingdom is The Prostate Cancer Charity, which was set up in 1996. In its relatively short life, the charity has played a key role in raising both public awareness of the disease and political debate about services and support. The Prostate Cancer Charity is the largest and most comprehensive of the charities in the UK focused specifically on prostate cancer.

The Chiswick Cats

They aim to provide hope for tomorrow through the research that they fund - and practical support for today through their extensive - and growing information services. All funds raised by Movember in the UK stay in the UK and go directly to The Prostate Cancer Charity.


December 8, 2008