News and press releases

Royal Mail is backing Movember to raise money for prostate cancer – in support of its charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK. The company is encouraging colleagues among its 150,000 workforce to grow a Mo (moustache), or sponsor colleagues who do so and undertake a variety of fundraising activities. All money raised by staff will be matched by the Royal Mail.

Royal Mail’s support for Movember was launched by Neil Stuke from BBC1’s hit drama ‘Silk’. The new nationwide postmark (pictured) will be applied to all postmarked letters for two weeks from October 15, and for two weeks in November.

Neil Stuke - who has a close friend and colleague affected by prostate cancer and who plays a character with the disease in Silk - decided to support the charity and has agreed to grow a Mo during Movember (the month formerly known as November).

Neil said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, killing one man every hour. I am showing my support by growing a Mo and supporting Movember, Prostate Cancer UK and the Royal Mail in their determination to raise awareness and funds to tackle the disease. I would encourage men all over the country to get involved and grow a Mo to help change the face of men’s health.”

Prostate Cancer UK was chosen as Royal Mail’s main charity partner after a vote by staff earlier this year.

Moya Greene, Royal Mail’s Chief Executive said: “We have a proud history of charitable fundraising at Royal Mail – in fact, we’re Guinness World Record Holders thanks to the generosity of our people.

“So I am very confident that we will continue that tradition by raising funds for this very worthy cause during Movember and in the year ahead.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We are delighted that Royal Mail is appealing to its employees to get involved in Movember. Even though, on the surface, Movember appears to be a fun initiative it has been hugely successful in not only raising millions of pounds for research into prostate cancer, but also in managing to get younger men to start thinking about their health. We encourage men of all ages and all walks of life to get on board and grow a Mo this Movember.”

Issued by

Morag Turnbull
Senior External Relations Manager
Royal Mail Press Office
1st Floor
35-50 Rathbone Place
London
W1T 1HQ

0207 250 2468
Mobile: 07801 092364
morag.turnbull@royalmail.com

About Prostate Cancer UK:

Ellie Brooke, Senior Media and PR Officer, 020 8222 7669, ellie.brooke@prostatecanceruk.org

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