Movember has finally come to a close, with many razors and shavers put to use once again.

As always, it was a huge team effort with our people right across the motu. Whether it was taking on a challenge or generously donating to support their colleagues, lots of people got involved all in the name of supporting awareness and action on key men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Check out the Fire and Emergency’s leaderboard(external link)

Here’s what some of our ardent Movember supporters got up to:

Jordan Martin, Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade, Wellington

Jordan, who climbed the Wainuiomata hill last Movember was back at it again this year!

‘I wanted to top what I did last year in terms of putting myself through a physical and mental challenge, however I couldn’t come up with anything harder than the hill’, Jordan says.

‘So, I decided why not do the same but add in some things to make it harder, being 60 reps each day for the men we lose every hour around the world’.

Reflecting on what kept him going up that hill every day, Jordan says, ‘I thought about those who are struggling and how strong they are to keep on moving forward. Remembering those who are no longer here is also a massive driver’.

Jordan’s message for those who may be struggling mentally is: ‘I am proud of you, you are not alone and you are most definitely not a burden! I recommend talking to a close mate or even a councillor. If you find it hard to have that conversation, text 1737. Just please speak to someone!’

 

Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade, Auckland

Members of the Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade did the 24-hour stair challenge at their local gym, taking turns on the stair climber.

Michael Ferkins says, ‘all our brigade got on board. We split the 24 hours into 10 min slots and rotated through. The longest we had was one person on for one hour and many people did 20, 30, 45 mins in one go in level 2s as well. In total we completed 89,280 steps and had 57 climbers over the 24 hours’.

‘We had incredible support from brigade members, partners, children, parents, and other family members and employers’.

Speaking of the importance of raising awareness of mental health, Michael says, ‘as volunteers but also in our personal lives, we have experienced loss due to mental health issues. We feel it is important to highlight the challenges that men can face in their daily lives by showing that we do care. You're not alone.’

 

Mo-ment Quiz at the National Headquarters

At NHQ, the People Branch Leadership Team hosted a Mo-ment Quiz, raising not just funds, but importantly, awareness around mental health. The quiz participants, split into teams, started off by visiting various quiz stations, with quiz masters donning impressive moustaches for the occasion.

Pin the tail on the donkey or, rather, pin the mo on the moustachioed man was the pièce de resistance of the competition, with the coveted Movember cup won by team Tui. Ka mau te wehi! 

 

 

If you missed Josh Darby’s live update on the Whanaungatanga Project and the great mahi the team are doing in the first responders’ psychological wellbeing space, check out the recorded Lunch and Learn session(external link) on the project’s Portal page.

Fire and Emergency is committed to providing you with the support you need to remain in good health and has a variety of options available to help you and your whānau through challenges you may be facing. More information can be found on the Portal.(external link)

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