A FAMILY retailer has a personal reason for raising awareness of prostate cancer, as male staff from Buywise get hairy for charity.

Six members of staff at the electrical and furniture store, Buywise Domestic Appliance Ltd in Parson’s Street, Banbury, are growing moustaches throughout November for the Movember campaign, which challenges men to grow facial hair to highlight prostate and testicular cancer.

Managing director Jo New, 39, said: “It was actually the idea of one of the guys here – Nick Good – but I jumped at the chance of getting involved because my dad Kevin, who is 65, is in remission from prostate cancer.

“A friend of ours from Birmingham sadly has terminal cancer, which started in his prostate.

“It is a great cause and we are all trying hard to grow as impressive moustaches as we can, while raising as much sponsorship as we can, but it hasn’t been easy.

“I guess most of us are going for the long-sided Mexican look, which is pretty hilarious. Most of us are normally clean shaven and we are more ‘fluffy’ than hairy!”

Organisers hope the appeal will raise funds for cancer research and encourage more men to get tested for prostate cancer, which kills 10,000 men a year in the UK.

Mr New said: “Our families are proud of us but that doesn’t mean they have to like the hair; My wife Lez is not in the least impressed and my daughter Ella, two, is refusing to kiss me goodnight!”

To find out more go to: uk.movember.com The Oxford Mail would like to hear from men taking part in Movember. Call 01865 425444 or email the newsdesk.