By Natalie Carragher

Thursday night’s Student Union Met Bar staff were treated to a highly distinguished, well-groomed clientele, as Manchester Met’s History Society’s Movember charity moustache-bash got underway.

History Society members came out in full force to parade their facial furniture at the event, which saw the History Society Committee raise £116 for Movember UK.

The society turned creative in their efforts to support the cause, with many of the group incapable of growing natural luscious lip-warmers. Instead, they threw a moustache-themed social to celebrate their fellow mo-growing bros and sistas, and to also give people the chance to get involved without growing a ‘tache of their own.

Stick-on moustaches and jewellery were on offer to ensure everyone was Movember-ready, as well as themed games including ‘Pin the Moustache’ and ‘Match the Mo’.

Movember is an independent global charity with the desire to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. The charity encourages men to grow sponsored moustaches in order to help raise vital funds and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer and mental health.

According to Movember UK, the moustache is the perfect tool for raising awareness because the simple act of growing a moustache prompts conversations wherever you go. This was the case for History Society committee members who, in the run up to the event, proudly wore their moustache jewellery and had their hands decorated with moustache henna designs. These small acts prompted great interest and considerable awareness, not only in the social, but in the motivations behind it.

As the evening drew to a close, the committee named their triumphant ‘Man of Movember’ and ‘Miss Movember’. Man of Movember Daniel Spatch Johnson, earned his title due to his impressive moustache and themed shirt. Eddie Dawson stole the Miss Movember title with his equally impressive facial finery!

Participation in the games entered players into a raffle prize draw which saw Ruth Ann Clare take the first prize – a bottle of fizz donated to the proceedings by Zizzi Didsbury. This contribution allowed the History Society to reward their members for their fund-raising efforts and provided further incentive (not that they needed it!) to dig deep for a great cause and get involved.

Manchester Met tutors from all departments also showed their support by buying homemade cookies and biscuits and wearing Movember stickers.

The month of Movember is concerned with awareness and what better place to hold such an event to draw student awareness than at the heart of the university social life – the Student Union. As many students experience financial uncertainty during their time at University, it was inspiring to see students making huge efforts for charity.

History Society’s Movember event followed the hugely successful Teenage Cancer Trust Charity Bake Sale which saw combined efforts raise £555.00 – proving MMU students and staff are a charitable bunch who also love their cake! Arrangements for MMU History Society’s Christmas charity event and the Christmas social are currently underway. Keep an eye out and get involved.

For more information on MMU History Society check out the Facebook page or follow them on Twitter @MMUHistorySoc