The Movember BVI Committee was able to reach its target of $15000. Photo: VINO

One of the contestants at the recent Movember event at Nanny Cay Resort and Marina proudly displays his "crop". Photo: VINO

Part of the proceeds would go towards assisting VI men suffering from prostate cancer, while another portion of the proceeds would be given to cancer research.

This was disclosed by Scott Hart of Movember BVI, who praised VIslanders for their generous nature and their willingness to always respond to worthy causes. “It’s amazing for me and everyone I know how this community comes together in times of need...the BVI is really an amazing place.”

Meanwhile, Governor Boyd McCleary was also impressed with the fundraising initiative. “I thought it was a fantastic evening. It was very well supported with a huge number of participants. It was a great show and everybody seemed to have a terrific time and it was a great opportunity to raise a lot of money for an important charity,” the Governor told Virgin Islands News Online.

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in the US and around the world. With their Mo’s, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts. Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

Here in the VI, stylish moustaches, some fake, were displayed in front of the panel of judges, who surprisingly included billionaire Sir Richard Branson. One contestant even served up free tequilas in an effort to win the favour of the judges that also included Governor William Boyd McCleary and Tamara Archibald- Gill. Apart from proudly sporting their “crop”, the contestants also spiced up their stage performance with stylish costumes and beautiful ladies in hand.

The enviable title of Mr. Movember 2011 went to Freeman Rogers while Miss Movember 2011 is Tracey Odey, who displayed a fake moustache of course! The “Team Movember” prize went to the Three Muskateers, who really did look the part with their costume.

Among the other categories judged were Month growth, Lame month, Big sexy month and Celebrity Mo. The Celebrity Mo prize went to Tim Dabbs, who did an imitation of Sean Connery.

Asked about billionaire Sir. Richard Branson’s involvement, Hart said he had also shown an interest in Movember and its efforts to fight prostate and other cancers that affect men.

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Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 Million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. In addition, Movember is aware of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas supporting the campaign and men’s health cause across the globe, from Russia to Dubai, Hong Kong to Antarctica, Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai, and everywhere in between.

In 2010, over 64,500 US Mo Bros and Mo Sistas got on board, raising $7.5 million USD.