Every year Movember comes around and I am asked to take part and every year I decline, why? Probably for fear of looking a fool or being embarrassed which is ironic given that these are the reasons many men wait too long to get checked for prostate cancer! Embarrassment can undoubtedly be a killer...

This year, after some consideration I am taking part as an army of one - putting embarrassment to one side! Why the change of heart?...well in 2022 my father in law was on the receiving end of a diagnosis for prostate cancer and thankfully he isn't someone to let embarrassment get in the way of his health and thankfully after a year of treatment he received the all clear. Some men are not as fortunate. The care and support he received during this time was first class and this is my way of trying to give back and giving a few people the opportunity to laugh at me along the way..

To help with visualisation I have included two photos of my current Movember status one showing how genuinely happy I am to be taking part and the other to just demonstrate just how much of the criminal underworld my new found facial hair makes me look when I try.

For those that don't know, prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, killing one man every 45 minutes. As our charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK are doing all they can to help reduce this figure, from raising awareness to vital screening programmes early diagnosis is the key.

Please help by giving whatever you can (genuinely no sum is too small) using the Give Now button to help fund lifesaving research and provide support for those affected by prostate cancer. The more people know about Prostate Cancer UK, the greater their impact so please spread the word by sharing this page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity it means a great deal and as an added bonus Arthur J Gallagher my employer will match donations up to £700!