Bendigo’s police officers have spent the last month growing and grooming their moustaches to raise funds for the Movember Foundation.
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The team of 15 – known as Bendigo Hot Fuzz – have so far raised $5778, leaving them in second in funds raised to the Frankston Police in the Victoria Police Challenge.
Bendigo Sergeant Tony Kekich is hoping for a late surge of donations will see Bendigo Hot Fuzz take out the challenge win.
“We took the trophy off Frankston last year when we raised about $7000 with about 22 members participating,” he said.
“What we want to do is beat them and retain the trophy for best police station in the state.”
“This year we only have 15 members, so it is a really good effort. Everyone at Bendigo Police is proud.
“But we’re hoping it’s not too late to keep some funds floating in for Bendigo.”
Bendigo Police had a number of functions at the station to raise money for Movember including a men’s health breakfast that raised $300, a morning tea that raised $230 and a gourmet sausage lunch that raised $475.
Sergeant Kekich said while quite a few people have poked fun at the styles of moustaches being grown, the message about men’s health was getting out there.
“That’s one of the main benefits of it,” he said.
“People poke fun and pol growing mos but we feel there is a bit more cohesion as a team.
“In all seriousness, (after a joke or two) then the conversation and questions about men’s health start to happen.
“If that culminates into someone thinking about their own health, mental or physical, then that’s a good thing.”
Across the city, almost 450 Mo Bros and Sistas across Bendigo have raised more than $53,400 to help change the face of men’s health.
The Movember Foundation support men’s health causes including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
Since 2003, the support of more than five million participants has funded over 1200 innovative projects across more than 20 countries.
The moustache had gone out of fashion in 2003 when Movember began after two mates – Travis Garone and Luke Slattery – meet up for a quiet beer in Melbourne and devised the 30-day facial hair challenge.
For more details on Movember or to donate visit http://au.movember.com
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