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Thousands of moustaches are set to be grown across the Royal Mail Group during November, as staff get behind the Movember campaign to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

So far, over 1,600 ‘Mo Bros’ and ‘Mo Sistas’ across the Group have signed up to raise money during Movember, in support of the company’s charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK.

Our people will be growing a Mo, sponsoring colleagues who plan to do so, or taking part in a range of fundraising activities.

These fundraising efforts are happening at Royal Mail Group sites across the UK. This includes moustaches being grown in offices in Orkney, Newcastle, Leeds, Cardiff, Wolverhampton, London and Plymouth as well in Parcelforce Worldwide depots in Edinburgh and Belfast. Our workforce are also planning to take part in a number of sponsored long distance runs, will be scaling high peaks and organising bake sales and raffles.

Their efforts will help make a difference to the 250,000 men living with or after prostate cancer in the UK.

Royal Mail Group will match penny for penny all funds that are raised during Movember for the charity.

For two weeks in November, Royal Mail will be applying a dedicated Movember postmark to all postmarked letters, helping raise awareness of the campaign.

Royal Mail Group has also been raising awareness of Prostate Cancer amongst its 150,000 employees. This has involved highlighting important health messages and encouraging people affected by the illness to get help and support from Prostate Cancer UK.

Notes to Editors

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Over 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Every hour 1 man dies from prostate cancer.

African Caribbean men are 3 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men of the same age.

Prostate Cancer UK fights to help more men survive prostate cancer and enjoy a better quality of life. We support men and provide vital information. We find answers by funding research into causes and treatments. And we lead change, raising the profile of the disease and improving care. We believe that men deserve better.

Anyone concerned about prostate cancer can call Prostate Cancer UK's confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383 or visit or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org. The helpline is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm on Monday to Friday and from 7 - 9pm on Wednesdays.

About Movember

Movember, the month formerly known as November, is when brave and selfless men around the world grow a moustache, with the support of the women in their lives, to raise awareness and funds for men’s health - specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

It was established in 2003 by a few friends over a beer in a pub just outside Melbourne, Australia. The goal was simple – to create a campaign promoting the growth of the moustache among like-minded people and having fun along the way. It is about real men talking about real issues and changing the face of men’s health, one moustache at a time. Movember now spans the globe, with campaigns in 21 countries in 2012.

From October, how do Mo Bros and Mo Sistas get involved?
REGISTER individually or as a team at www.movember.com
CREATE a new look by growing a moustache for the month. Mo Sistas can get involved by raising awareness and supporting the Mo’s around them
MOTIVATE your friends and family to donate and support your mo growing efforts
DISCUSS men’s health and encourage the men around you to know their health and be aware of early warning signs
CELEBRATE the Mo and your achievements during Movember

Contact:

Simon Feldman
PR Manager (Campaigns)
Consumer & Business Media Relations
Royal Mail Group
0207 449 8246
07435 769017
24 Hour press office – 020 7250 2468