MORE than 50 organisations across Oxfordshire have signed up to grow the biggest and bravest moustaches to raise funds for men’s health charities.

In line with Men’s Health Awareness Month, 54 participants shaved their faces clean on November 1 and will proceed to grow moustaches for the rest of the month while documenting their progress on their Movember page.

In the first week of the challenge, University of Oxford students have raised the staggering amount of £14,519, while Oxford Brookes students are following with £3,660.

University of Oxford pupil, Gianfranco Messina, who got involved in the campaign in his first year of studies, has already exceeded his £3,000 target by £842.

Mr Messina wrote on his Movember page: “The moustache is not a look, on me at least...

“However, it stands for a good cause and is great to spark conversation about themes that are not discussed enough.”

Staff at St. Hugh’s School near Faringdon have also risen to the challenge and are fundraising to help reduce the rate of male suicide.

Other local establishments that have launched campaigns include the Oxford Academy, Marks & Clerk, Oxford Harmony chorus and Oxfordshire fire and rescue.

While Prostate Cancer UK is the main recipient of donations, participants may pick any charities that aim to improve men’s quality of life.

The Movember foundation has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects across 20 countries since its start in 2003.

Visit uk.movember.com