All figures used are correct as of December 1st 2024
Men are dying too young. We can't afford to stay silent
In an interview with The Courier, Movember ambassador Sam Horton spoke of his inspirations, lessons, and overall experience from taking a leading-role in a month-long fundraising campaign.
Individually, Sam Horton is one of the single-largest Movember fundraisers from Newcastle University. Donations received amounting to over £1,350 have comfortably exceeded his original target of £1,000. During November he pledged to complete 6,000 push-ups, working out to 200 per day.
“That is really special to me", said Horton, “there have been times where I have been less motivated and still got them done - I am really proud of that”.
“There’s a lot of men in my family who have struggled with mental health issues, even the ones who haven’t spoken outwardly about it”. Inspired by family and friends, Horton stated that, “reducing some of the stigmas associated with men’s mental health” was his main ambition towards becoming a Movember ambassador.
Societies across Newcastle University came together to help the fundraising campaign. 49 teams signed up to raise money, with Mech Eng Football Club topping the Movember leaderboard - raising over £7,500.
"The response was overwhelmingly positive"
“The response was overwhelmingly positive”, societies took part in many activities in order to raise as much money as possible. Horton highlighted, “football tournaments, 24-hour walks, 48-hour runs” as some of his favourite moments. In total, the distance travelled for fundraising efforts stands at over 10,000 kilometres.
Research launched by the Movember Foundation revealed, ‘Almost half (47%) of men do not talk openly with friends about their problems’. Horton hopes that his involvement in the cause means his friends can now see him as someone they can talk to; “hopefully if they were struggling, they know that I would understand”.
Growing a moustache has become synonymous with the campaign towards men’s mental health. The Movember Foundation describes it as, ‘our symbol for better men’s health’. ‘It also grabs attention and starts important conversations’.
"I will never have a better moustache than my Dad"
Many students took part and grew out their moustaches during the month of November to show solidarity with the campaign. Horton stated, “I will never have a better moustache than my Dad, but personally I am happy with mine”.
The Movember Foundation accepts donations at any time of the year and front their campaign with the following message: ‘Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent’.
