FOR many men, it can be the Mo-st wonderful time of the year as November becomes the moustache-inspired 'Movember'.
Gentlemen everywhere are growing 'taches from today to raise awareness and funds for men's health charities, in particular prostate and testicular cancers. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK – about 36,000 are diagnosed every year.
Last year, more than 254,000 'Mo Bros' and 'Mo Sistas' raised more than £22 million in the UK.
Prostate Cancer UK is the main beneficiary of Movember and its chief executive, Owen Sharp, says: "Visiting their GP is not high up on the list for men.
"They are not renowned for taking control of their health.
"That is why Movember is so fantastic. It gets people talking about prostate cancer and men's health in a unique and active way."
This year, Nottingham fellas are again taking up the challenge in their droves.
Leading from the front and planning to sport some interesting designs are Notts County players Joss Labadie, Manny Smith and defender Alan Sheehan.They're hoping their 'taches will somehow lend them extra footballing strength.
They also plan to raise a decent amount of money with the help of fellow players and "brilliant" Notts County supporters.
Midfielder Joss, 22, says: "It's for a good cause which needs to be less of a taboo.
"I'm putting my all into it this year and going freestyle. Hopefully it will curl up at the ends with gel. I'm used to being teased anyway."
Defender Manny, 23, says it's a fun way to get the message out and boasted about his moustache: "I reckon everyone will be jealous as they can't grow theirs as good as mine."
Meanwhile, it's a new challenge for defender Alan, 26, who says: "This is something all men should be championing. It's the first year I'm doing Movember – I usually have a beard."
Things are getting hairy at recently-opened high fashion clothing store Thackerays on St Peter's Gate, with all the male staff taking part in Movember. Even the mannequins are getting in on the act.
Store manager Yemi Akinwolere says: "We want to raise around £1,000 through sponsorship and donations from customers into our special moustache-decorated box in store.
"We want our Nottingham store to beat the total of other Thackerays stores in Milton Keynes and Northampton."
And he reveals: "I'm going for a Jimi Hendrix-inspired style."
Sales assistant Llewellyn Nolan, 27, from Nottingham, adds: "My moustache is going to be a mix of the character Beppe di Marco from Eastenders meets rock star Prince."
Nottingham City Council has got at least 35 men taking part.
Glenn Formoy from the marketing team says: "Our activities include a wall of Mo, showcasing the before and after images of participants, culminating at the end of November with the 'MOscars' at Loxley House to crown the best moustache grower."
Gareth Stubbs, 34, from Pinxton, who works at the Department of Work & Pensions, is dedicating his 'tache to his fiance Laura Gore's father Rob, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Gareth says: "Luckily he found the tumour early and treatment was successful. Unfortunately I also lost a close friend at the start of the year to cancer."
It's his second year of taking part. "I'm going for 'The Biker' style – it takes little upkeep and looks great."
Laura, 29, an education and training media adviser at the Post, says: "I'm getting some say in Gareth's choice of moustache – I have to be seen out in public with him after all."
"We have more than 20 Broadway staff taking part this year," says press and marketing officer Andrew Knight, 35, from Sherwood. "Our inspirations range from Sean Connery to David Niven.
"Last year was our first Movember and we raised over £500.
"We got involved last year due to a member of staff's father having testicular cancer. Having a personal connection just made us want to help out even more.We're hoping to raise even more this year.
"Some take to it with more gusto than others. Those at the bum-fluff end of the spectrum aren't as happy as the hairier sorts three weeks into Movember. "
Ben Hollyhead, 21, a PR assistant at city-based Eden PR, is a fresh-faced first timer.
"I've never grown a moustache before," he says. "My motivation is the charities focused around men's health and getting awareness out there. Early detection of cancer is really important.
"I hope to break the £100 barrier with the amount I raise. I'm the only boy in the office and all the girls are going to be very supportive.
"I don't know which style I'm going to grow. I'll just see what happens. It could be a huge success and be something I want to keep.
"I'll be avoiding frothy coffees for the month, though."
Local band The Terminal Five Experience, all aged over 50, are fine-tuning their moustaches this month.
Singer Dek Brown says: "Last year we raised more than £5,000 for Movember and were amazed to be placed 288th out of the 10,000 Movember teams.
"This year we're aiming for £10,000 and getting into the top 100 teams. We're holding a gig on November 30 at the Britannia Boat Club to celebrate."
There's plenty of women getting involved in Movember too – but only to lend support to the fellas, of course.
Laura Morley, 18, a student from Nottingham, is supporting her dad and boyfriend who are growing moustaches.
"Last year I took a photograph of my dad every day to show the progression of his moustache," she says.
As well as reassuring your man he doesn't look like a reserve member of the Village People, you need to give lots of encouragement through the month, says Isabel Jones from Eden PR.
"Regular meetings in the pub for the Mo team will be absolutely necessary to measure progress, sponsorship and have 'mine's bigger than yours' conversations," she says.
And she offers this tip: "Prepare to answer your kids' questions about why daddy can grow hair on his face but not on his head!"
Are you, your place of work or community getting involved in Movember? Send your best whisker pictures along with your name, age and address to katherine.taylor@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
Check out our Movember gallery hereWe'll have an online gallery of your best Movember moustaches with regular updates and features running throughout the month.
For more information about Movember, go to http://uk.movember.com/
The website includes men's health advice.
