A GROUP of Somerset journalists are braving the shave for Movember this month.
The County Gazette team, led by fundraising team captain and Local Democracy reporter, Daniel Mumby, is taking part in Movember, the annual campaign in which men grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues.
The five men - reporters Harry Mockridge, Alex Parnham-Cope and Daniel Mumby along with assistant editor Stephen D'Albiac and print ACE Dan Wilkins - decided to take part this year with their fundraiser aptly named 'The Hair-Raising Newsroom', amid rising male suicide statistics.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, men account for around three-quarters of suicide deaths in the UK. In England, the male suicide rate was 17.1 per 100,000 in 2024, compared with 5.6 per 100,000 for women.
In 2024 alone, there were 6,190 suicides registered in England and Wales. That year, men aged 50 to 54 had the highest suicide rate of any male age group across the UK.
Any donation big or small will be hugely appreciated as we tackle men's health head-on. You can find our donation page here: Movember - Donate
Daniel Mumby, who helped set up the campaign, said any donations to the team's crowdfunding page will make a "huge difference".
"Movember is such an amazing cause, funding vital research into men's health and providing support where it is desperately needed," Daniel said.
"We hope that by taking part, we can not only raise valuable funds for this worthy charity but start a series of important conversations about men's health right here in Somerset.
He added: "We know money is tight for many people at the moment - and we know that we will all probably look a little ridiculous by the end of the month.
"But any donation you can give, however big or small, will be making a huge difference to men's lives."
Movember highlights issues affecting men's health, including mental health and suicide prevention, with men continuing to account for around three-quarters of suicide deaths in the UK.
If you'd like to support the cause, you can head to the official Movember website and set up your own fundraiser. The best part? You don't have to grow a moustache... unless you want to.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, from growing a moustache, getting active through Move, hosting an event, or taking part in 'Mo Your Own Way'. If you'd rather simply make a donation, that's perfectly fine too. Every contribution helps support men's health initiatives, including mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
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