Bill Supports Mo-mentous Movement to Raise Awareness of Prostate Cancer

Bill has expressed support for a raft of MSPs from across the political spectrum who have been growing and nurturing moustaches throughout November to support “Movember” – a movement which aims to change the face of men’s health by raising awareness of prostate cancer and other men’s health issues.

Alongside almost a quarter of a million men throughout the UK these MSPs have become walking, talking billboards – using their moustaches to put prostate cancer firmly on the agenda during November.

Furthermore, 40 MSPs from across the political spectrum have backed a Parliamentary Motion in support of the campaign, which has successfully raised millions of pounds for research into prostate cancer and for programmes to support people affected by the disease.

Bill said: “I’ve had moustaches before and they were pretty horrible, so I was given special permission to wear the prostate cancer lapel badge instead! ‘Movember’ is a great cause, and I was very pleased to lend my support.”

A newly hirsute Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “There have been some hairy moments, but as the moustache season draws to a close it’s great to know that MSPs have been through this journey with me, and that many more have signalled their support for the campaign. Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, it lags behind other common cancers, both in terms of investment in research and in awareness. The fact that so many politicians have shown their support just goes to show how Movember is helping us to redress this balance and put the disease firmly in the spotlight. ”  

Since its humble beginnings in Australia in 2003, “Movember” has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate worldwide so far.

Last year over 111,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across the UK raised an amazing £11.7 million. These funds have helped support The Prostate Cancer Charity’s vital work fighting prostate cancer on every front – through research, support, information and campaigning.  This year a hair-raising 250,000 men and women have taken part across the UK with at least £12 million raised already.

Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, with Mo Bros, Mo Sistas and Mo Mentors