Air 'Mo'vements Wing challenge of growing moustaches
30th November 2010
Royal Air Force Lyneham
During the month of November, RAF Lyneham’s personnel from No 1 Air Mobility Wing (1 AMW) took up the challenge of growing moustaches or ‘mos’ for the globally sponsored charity ‘Movember’.  With the challenge set the race was on to compete for the winning title of ‘Best Mo’. 

Movember challenges men to change their and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache to raise awareness regarding prostate cancer and to aid the funding of its research. The rules are simple, starting on the 1st of November clean shaven; the men have 30 days to grow their best effort of a moustache.  The Movember moustache campaign has grown into a global phenomenon with the UK campaign specifically benefitting The Prostate Cancer Charity (TPCC), the country’s leading prostate cancer charity.

On the last day of the event and donning WWII style RAF uniform, the twelve personnel braved the weather for ‘tea and medals’ and met in-front of the WWII Dakota gate guard to establish whose ‘mo’ had won the challenge.  In judging the event, RAF Lyneham’s subject matter expert, Station Warrant Officer (SWO), Nick Dale said: “Having been born with my ‘tache’, I can’t fully appreciate how difficult a task this has been for the guys, but the effort has been tremendous all round.”

With the formal parade and inspection complete, the SWO decided that the winning title should be given to Sergeant ‘Muff’ Mufford for his superb effort, particularly with regards to the fact that it only took thirty days to achieve!  The twelve participants from No 1 AMW were, Squadron Leader Mark Clulo, Flight Lieutenant’s Ben Winters, Adam Hale, Trev Batey, Mike Trewhella and Matt Stott, Flying Officer’s Piers Compton and Aaron Fulton, Warrant Officer Martin Jones, Sergeant’s ‘Eccy’ Eccles and ‘Muff’ Mufford and Corporal Steve Lauder.

The team raised funds by not only receiving sponsorship and donations for the growing of their moustaches but also through fines at various entertainment functions and a charity football match.  Flight Lieutenant Ben Winters who organised the event said: “The guys from 1 Air Mobility Wing have done a fantastic job in raising the profile and awareness of such a worthy cause.  They have all made a great effort with the challenge and raised over £1500 for the charity.”