Emma Upton is running a half marathon each day in November to raise awareness of men's mental health issues. Photo / David Haxton
Emma Upton is running a half marathon each day in November to raise awareness of men's mental health issues. Photo / David Haxton
Emma Upton is running a half marathon each day this month for Movember — a charity that raises funds and awareness for men’s health issues.
The 19-year-old, from Raumati South, is juggling the physical change between her two jobs — as a barista in Paraparaumu and an administration rolefor a building company in Churton Park.
“Movember has always been a really important charity to me, especially for men’s mental health.
“I’ve lost people in my life to suicide as well as having mates struggle.
“The more openly we talk about things, the more likely people will reach out for help.
She expects to finish her challenge by joining the [Mo]re Than A Run event, in Wellington, which is dedicated to Movember.
“On November 30 they’re doing a 10km, 30km and 60km run to raise money for Movember, starting at TSB Arena. It will be a matter of picking a distance and how I feel. People start at various times and everyone finishes at noon. It will be a good way to finish the challenge.”
About Movember
Movember is an annual men’s health movement focusing on prevention, early intervention and health promotion. Its main event focuses on people growing a moustache or undertaking physical activity to raise money for men’s health.
Movember started more than two decades ago in 2003 when two mates in Australia (Travis Garone and Luke Slattery) decided to try and bring moustaches back into fashion.
Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, they decided to make their campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer. They designed the rules of Movember (which are still in place today) and agreed to charge $10 to grow a mo. Trav designed the first Movember logo, and they sent around an email titled ‘Are you man enough to be my man?’ They found 30 guys willing to take up the challenge.
Since then, Movember has continued to grow at an extraordinary pace. There are now official campaigns in 21 countries and together they’ve raised more than $8 billion to fund over 1000 men’s health programmes.
Movember’s focus has broadened to four key men’s health issues: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity. It has seen the growth of millions of moustaches, significant breakthroughs in scientific research and a fundamental shift in the conversation around men’s health.
New Zealand’s key stats:
Men’s health
In New Zealand, men are dying, on average, 3.5 years earlier than women — and for largely preventable reasons.
