Movember sees Mo Sista top the fundraising stakes

MEDIA RELEASE
3 December 2015

Movember sees Mo Sista top the fundraising stakes

As men around the country reached for the razor this week, many women rejoiced, but one Kiwi Mo Sista was celebrating the end of Movember for another reason – her top fundraising efforts.

Charlotte Nicklin dominated the Movember leaderboard in the national fundraising stakes, raising $16,682 for the charity, which celebrated its 10 year anniversary in New Zealand last month.

The Aucklander was driven to participate after her father underwent chemotherapy for prostate cancer and lost his moustache that he had for 35 years. Nicklin described her fundraising efforts as a ‘backwards Movember’, inspiring New Zealanders to donate to her Mo Space page, well exceeding her target of $2,000.
“Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer nine years ago and is an awesome role model for men in regards to health. He got checked and caught the cancer early. He’s really active and has a positive, but realistic, attitude to life and health. Having people make donations for us for Movember has made our family feel really warm and supported - it’s very humbling,” says Nicklin.
Movember Country Manager Robert Dunne says Nicklin is an inspiring example of how women can also get behind Movember. “We are grateful for every donation that will go towards funding research programmes for men’s health, including; prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and physical inactivity.

“This year we were particularly encouraged by the effort and dedication shown by individuals, community groups and corporates to participate in Movember,” says Dunne.

Nationwide, over 6000 individual Kiwi men signed up to grow a moustache this Movember and 900 women participated. Over 1000 fundraising teams participated and 600 of those were corporate registrations, with Pak’n Save teams leading the way, raising over $100,000.

More than $760,000 was raised during the month, with Movember forecasting the total to reach $1.1 million this year once all corporate donations have been received.

As part of the annual fundraiser, Movember set a challenge called MOVE, calling on New Zealanders to complete 30 moves for 30 days of November. A Scott Base Movember team accepted the challenge to do their bit for men’s health – clocking up 2706 kilometres (the distance to the South Pole and back to the Base).

Their effort to MOVE saw them walk on the sea ice, ski, mountain bike and complete indoor circuit classes.

Dunne said the organisation is overwhelmed by the commitment shown from New Zealanders across the country and as far away as Antarctica. “We want to thank New Zealanders for their support, which stretched far beyond the realms of simple fundraising.”

New Zealanders still have time to donate to their favourite team, Mo Bro or Mo Sista. Donations can be accepted right up until Christmas.

“Every little bit counts towards making an everlasting impact on the state of men’s health in New Zealand,” adds Dunne.

Final donations can be made at nz.movember.com.
-ENDS-

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