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Moustaches and more: David’s 16 year Movember mission

02 Oct 2026

Championing men’s health

David smiling at his fundraising

For over 16 years, David Jenkins, a purchasing officer here at the university, has been a familiar sight every November: sporting a proud moustache and rallying colleagues to support men’s health. What began as a simple idea has grown into a remarkable fundraising journey, raising over £12,000 and earning David a place in the Movember Hall of Fame. Movember is a global men's health movement, funding prevention-focused work across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Working in a cancer research institute, David noticed how much fundraising focused on women’s cancers, and how less attention was given to men’s health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer. He decided to change that.

“And honestly, I’ve always thought moustaches looked cool - my dad had one, and so did I back in the 80s.”

Fundraising with flair

Each year David kicks off Movember with a Halloween bake sale, and also runs David’s Lucky Dip, inspired by his grandmother’s tombola stall, using small items he collects from supplier exhibitions to create guaranteed‑win bags.

Simple, creative ideas like this helped him raise £2,082 last year, taking his total past £10,000 and earning him an invitation to Movember HQ to join their Hall of Fame.

“It was surreal – a real honour, and a reminder of why this matters".

Get involved!

This year, David has been named a Movember Workplace Ambassador, and he’s inviting colleagues to join him.

You can get involved in many ways, including:

  • Running your own bake sale, raffle or fundraiser
  • Forming a team with colleagues
  • Helping to promote men’s health in your area
  • Joining David’s new UoM team: the Mo‑Bees

If you’d like to take part or share an idea, email david.jenkins@cruk.manchester.ac.uk

Don’t forget that as part of our Challenge Accepted fundraising and volunteering campaign, you can use your paid volunteering days if you need time away from your desk to volunteer and support a brilliant cause like Movember!