Pupils support men’s health this Movember

This November, Cheltenham College pupils undertook cycling and running challenges to raise funds and awareness for Movember, championing mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate cancer research.

Written by Ben K

This November I decided I would cycle 519 kilometres in a joint effort to metal health and prostate cancer. The 519km was inspired by one estimate of 519,000 male suicides each year. Movember is of course all about men’s mental health but the area more personal to me is the struggle against prostate cancer.

A close relative of mine was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, the effect that I have seen it take is truly heart-breaking, but despite the seemingly insurmountable challenge that lay before him, my and I family are still able to enjoy his company for the time being. He has been a huge personal inspiration, and I feel I owe it to give something back. However, many are not so fortunate and don’t have access to such close support networks, causing serious damage to their mental health as their physical health simultaneously disintegrates. It is for the victims of prostate cancer and the hundreds of thousands of suicidal men around the world that I have been devoting my efforts to. With £1,179 raised so far, I am close to the finish after several early starts or late finishes and aim to face the November cold on the bike for a final 100km cycle on Sunday the 30th to round off the 519km.

Written by Johnnie T

This November, Jack S, Harry K, and I set ourselves the challenge of running over 120 kilometres to raise money and awareness for Movember. It’s a cause that means a great deal to us, supporting men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and cancer research. This has been a tough challenge but we feel a great sense of accomplishment having raised awareness and money for the cause.