LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Facial hair sprouted from a growing number of upper lips in Fort Simpson last month as a fundraiser increased in popularity.

Sporting moustaches of various styles, participants in Fort Simpson's Movember fundraiser included, back row from left, Sheldon McKay, Doug Tate, Colin Munro, Glen Cameron, Nathan McPherson, Ron Prangnell and Carl Carpentier. Front row, from left, Jesse Gilbert, Alex Campbell, Tim Harden, Roger Pilling and Shawn Gillis. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Approximately 25 men in the village grew moustaches during the month of November to support the Movember movement. Movember challenges men to grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer.

Moustaches are an ideal way to capture attention for the cause, said Alex Campbell who organized the campaign in the village this year.

"I don't think you could be any more effective because it's on your face," Campbell said.

Moustaches are light-hearted so they provide a good way to approach what is a serious subject, he said.

Campbell grew what is known as a businessman moustache according to the official guide but was also jokingly called a push broom by friends. People asked four to five questions about it a day which is quite a few but less than last year showing that people are becoming more aware of Movember, he said.

Movember began in Australia in 2003 and has started spreading across the globe. Dave Magarey, an Australian who was living in Fort Simpson, introduced the fundraiser to the village last year.

The nine official members of the village's team, the Deh Cho Mofos, raised $3,370 in 2009 for Prostate Cancer Canada. This year with the growing popularity 16 men registered with the team and many others grew moustaches in support.

Campbell expects the team to surpass last year's efforts. As of Dec. 3 the group had raised $2,460.

Carl Carpentier was one of the newcomers to the team this year.

Carpentier said he decided to support Movember by growing a moustache both for fun and to promote men's health. His upper lip growth earned the title of the Mexican moustache. Carpentier has sported moustaches in the past but he said this one wouldn't last much past the end of the month.

Colin Munro also had a razor prepared to shave off his new moustache at the first opportunity.

Munro said he joined the Movember movement because the idea of fundraising for men with prostate cancer appealed to him.

"It's a good idea," he said.

Having missed the opportunity to participate last year because he was away at the beginning of the month, Munro said he started this year as soon as he was reminded.

Most of the team plans to shave said Campbell, who had similar plans despite positive reviews of his moustache.

"I've had a couple of compliments this year from people who said I should keep it." Campbell said.

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