Dave Thompson MSP

The recent sight at Holyrood of more than a dozen selfless volunteers raising hundreds of pounds for a men's health charity, distinguished only by their moustaches, has resulted in a call for the Scottish Parliament to recognise the efforts of these brave men.

As Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson, whose own proud moustache marks him out as one of the movement's active members, gathered with fellow recently moustachioed MSPs for a ceremonial shave-off at Holyrood he revealed he had raised £200 for the annual Movember charity campaign to encourage men to seek sponsorship for growing a moustache throughout November.

The Movember Foundation, which organises the event at a UK level, plans to use the cash raised to fund research and treatment into prostate cancer and to spread awareness about this illness which is the main form of cancer affecting men.

Mr Thompson decided to mark the achievements of all involved with a motion to parliament calling for members to congratulate the thousands of fellow volunteers around Scotland who joined him in raising funds and awareness.

After saying goodbye to his new moustache on Tuesday, the final day of November, Dave said: "I had a moustache until about a decade ago so it wasn't unknown territory for me and seemed a simple step to help raise awareness about prostate cancer, a condition that has affected friends and relatives.

"Men don't like to talk about the waterworks but their shyness could be deadly so Movember is a great way to get people talking about it."

Notes:

Dave's motion to parliament:
Movember S3M-07512 Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
That the Parliament congratulates what it considers to be the many brave and selfless gentlemen who have dedicated their faces to Movember, the month-long charity event that raises funds and awareness for men’s health issues, which, in 2010, Movember’s fourth year, has seen a force of what it sees as men stronger and more valiant than ever from all walks of Scottish life, including many men in the Parliament and Scottish Government, stand side by side, united in their commitment to supporting men’s health through the growth of a ‘Mo’; considers that innovative campaigns, such as Movember, do a fantastic job to spread awareness and engage men in health issues; welcomes the support, enthusiasm and patience of Scotland’s ‘Mo sistas’ throughout the campaign, and looks forward to seeing many more men join in the growth of a ‘Mo’ next year.

Details of The Movember Foundation can be found at http://uk.movember.com/about/