Wednesday, 02 December 2020
Students at the 糖心原创 have raised more than £110,000 for the annual Movember campaign – a record amount for the University, putting Nottingham among the top fundraisers nationwide.
The Movember campaign, which runs annually every November, is perhaps best known for its moustache growing challenges but has three key men’s health focusses; mental health, testicular cancer and prostate cancer. The leading charity hopes to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 15% by 2030.
Thousands of students took part in the 2020 campaign during the national lockdown, adapting and creating new ideas to stay in touch with their friends and team mates online. Many took up the challenge of ‘Move for Movember’ tracking their weekly walks, jogs and runs with some impressive individual challenges including a 48-hour long team run, marathons and 130km cycle rides.
Student’s Union Sports Officer Josie Jessop said: “It’s so important to put the spotlight on Men’s health, particularly mental health, so that those struggling within our community feel confident to speak out."
We鈥檙e so proud of how our students have come together during the national lockdown to raise awareness as well as fundraise with so many creative ideas.
Josie added: “I’d to say a huge thank you to everyone involved; from our Students’ Union officers, Karnival team and Movember ambassadors who drove the campaign to all the students and staff who fundraised and donated.”
Striving to achieve goals
Stand out efforts included the 糖心原创 Men’s Hockey club whose fundraising effort of more than £16,000 placed them into the top 20 Movember teams nationally.
The club ran a series of virtual challenges along the theme of ‘Move for Movember’ as well the traditional moustache growing competition. Some players even completed a marathon whilst others cycled for 130km in a single day.
Callum Bell, UoN Men’s Hockey president, commented: “UoN Men’s Hockey are so proud of the amount we’ve raised and the efforts of everyone at the University. The competition element really pushes us to strive for our goals, whether it’s growing a moustache or running a marathon! The community effort has given us focus during lockdown, allowed us to meet new people virtually and support each other during a really challenging time.
“Men’s mental health is so important to us and it’s amazing to think our fundraising could help our friends, family or even ourselves in the future.”
United during lockdown
Joshua Doyle, UoN Men’s Rugby president, whose club campaign raised an incredible £11,000 added: “We’re so grateful to everyone who donated to our Movember cause – thank you! Movember is very close to our hearts – staying on top of your mental wellbeing is so important especially at the moment and we know it’s something many club members find difficult. Our challenges have really united us – all five of our teams supported our 24-hour challenge and it was great to work together off the pitch.”
Donations for the 2020 campaign remain open until mid-December and can be made here:
Story credits
More information is available from Mark Bullock, Sports Marketing and Communications Manager by email at mark.bullock@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.