Have you seen them? Men sporting the “Borat”, the “Pencil”, the “Sergeant Major” and the “Jack Parow”? Moustaches are everywhere these days … and they’ve infiltrated Flow Communications.
None other than senior strategist Kevin Collins, programmer Josef van Niekerk and Collective Cow’s Patrick Gurney have succumbed to the prickly upper lip – all in the name of Movember.
What’s Movember all about, actually?
A month-long moustache-growing challenge that takes place in November each year, the aim of Movember is to raise awareness of prostate and other male cancers, and highlight the good work that cancer charities do.
According to the Movember Foundation, the goal of the hairy-lipped month is to “change the face of men’s health”.
Well, Flow’s Mo stars have certainly changed their faces.
“I’m a first-time Mo grower,” says Josef. “But it won’t be my last.”
“I believe cancer, in whichever form, is a disease that affects us all – be it directly or indirectly. Most of us have had encounters with cancer: some have or had cancer, and others have close family members or friends who have to face this dreaded disease.
“Movember is a fun way to show your support for those who are fighting hard to find cures, and for those who have passed away,” he adds.
It’s about raising awareness
Collective Cow’s head honcho, Patrick, agrees. “Aside from being unable to stand the competition – Kevin’s Mo got a four-day head start – growing a moustache for me is about raising awareness and challenging the norm,” he says.
“My partner, Marie, will be happy to see it gone in December; she prefers a full beard, not these swanky-styled Mo-wannabes,” he laughs.
Patrick is somewhat of a pioneer when it comes to facial hair – he sports some form of fluff most months of year, but sticks to a moustache for Movember.
Kevin, Flow’s own Stephen Fry lookalike (although we maintain that Mr Fry models his appearance on Kevin), is currently sporting a blazing Mario Mo and is one of seven manly men taking part in the “More Mo Than Mouse” challenge (the Glaceau Vitamin Water moustache challenge sees a seven-man face-off (ha ha) between Mo Bros – bloggers, innovators and friends – who each stand a chance of winning a year’s supply of Vitamin Water).
“I’m growing a Mo for three reasons,” says Kevin. “Number one, I’m a cancer survivor. I successfully survived a cancerous brain tumour and will sport a Mo to prove it. Secondly, I want to show my support for cancer research and those still fighting the disease. Thirdly, I’m determined to beat Mike Sharman and win a year’s supply of delicious drinks.”
Keep your eye on the prize, Kev, we’re getting thirsty here.
