Christ Church students took part in Movember, which aims to raise awareness of men’s mental health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.

People around the world raise money by taking part in fundraising activities during the month of November and men grow their moustaches to share on social media.

Oliver King, who is in his second-year studying Chemical Engineering, led this year’s campaign at the University and students raised £2,356.

Christ Church sports teams including Christ Church Men’s Cricket, CCCU Men’s Rugby, CCCU Men’s Basketball, Christ Church Canterbury Chargers and CCCU Men’s Hockey, held a range of events including a 24-hour live stream and Christ Church Sport and Active Health asked the University’s community to run or walk 60 miles in November.

Max Hovey, third-year Media and Communications student and Instagram influencer, raised £823 through his online following.

Max is also the creator of the Happy Smiley Blog. He uses the platform to provide mental health support online.

He said: “I was already fully intending on taking part in Movember this year, I was then contacted by the CCCU Movember team and was asked to join. I thought it would be better to be part of a larger challenge and to help support the university. All of my mental health support over the last three years have been through Christ Church, so I wanted to show my support in return.

“Movember is important to me as I’ve had my fair share of mental health battles, and so being able to raise awareness for mental health in men has grown to be very close to my heart. The stigma that men face is that we shouldn’t share our feelings and shouldn’t show vulnerability. Movember is about accepting vulnerability and accepting help. “

Oliver King, who led the campaign, said: “I joined the Movember campaign to raise awareness of men’s physical and mental health, particularly during this year and within the academic environment. 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, I doubt many people on this planet don’t know of Covid-19 and the effects it’s had on the lives of us all.

“However, despite the pandemic and disruption, we all felt, this year we truly pulled together as a community and raised £2,356 for Movember. The most we’ve ever raised for the charity as a University. This wasn’t just my work, it is the culmination of everyone in the Christ Church community really pulling together behind a great cause. It’s because of all of us, that men’s lives will have been changed forever globally and even locally. 

"Thank you to everyone who helped me in supporting Movember this year.”

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