Fire department raises more than $13k for men's health
Team members looking for some local competition
for next year
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 3, 2015
INUVIK
As of Nov. 30, the Inuvik Fire Department had raised more than $13,000 towards men's health initiatives for Movember, enough to put them in fifth place overall against all participating fire departments in Canada.
Brian Larman, clockwise from left foreground, Julian McLean, Kolin Murray, John Moore, Jonathon Michel and John Ritchie shave off the moustaches they grew out for Movember on the last day of the month. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo
|
"We improved on our number from last year at $10,129," said Kolin Murray, the main organizer of Inuvik's team.
"This is all just from family and friends. You decide how big you make
it."
Those taking part grew moustaches for the month, shaving them off at Murray's house Nov. 30, the last day of the challenge.
Movember was created to raise money and awareness for men's cancers, particularly prostate cancer, but it has taken on more causes since its inception. This year, for instance, the focus was on getting men to be more active.
"Some members have worked hard to increase their physical activity," said Murray, adding firefighter Jonathon Michel had been a role model for the team in that respect.
"He posted all his workouts and really encouraged us all to get active too."
As for raising awareness in the wider community, some members said Movember was a good opportunity to get the word out.
"I find it's a good plug, just something quick," said Julian McLean.
"When someone asks about the moustache, I tell them and I say 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise a day can make a lot of people healthy. It's a quick and easy message."
Others vowed to make changes for next year, including being more diligent about posting about the cause on social media and reaching out to others about it.
"I'd try to not forget about it for 11 months of the year," said John Ritchie.
While building on their funding achievements of previous years is a good goal, Murray said the one thing he would love to see next year is a local competitor.
"I'd love to find an organization in town to compete with," he said, adding that while measuring up against other fire departments in Canada online is fun, nothing beats a local rivalry for motivation. That would make it a lot more fun."
