Exeter marks International Men’s Day as Movember fundraising hits new heights

International Men’s Day on 19 November is prompting a wave of men’s health activity across Exeter, with universities, community groups and residents backing awareness and fundraising events.

The University of Exeter is at the forefront of the UK university Movember challenge, raising over £70,000 so far to support men’s health issues including mental health, suicide prevention, and prostate and testicular cancer research. 

The university currently leads the National Movember Campus Challenge, narrowly ahead of Durham University and Cardiff University, demonstrating strong local engagement. 

Students, staff, and local businesses have contributed to the campaign through events such as ‘Brave the Shave,’ where participants shaved their heads in solidarity with the cause.

Movember Ambassadors at the university say the campaign is as much about encouraging open conversations on men’s health as it is about raising money.

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Third-year student Alex Mills, who took part in ‘Brave the Shave,’ explained, “By reaching out to your friends, you can really help them out and build a deeper bond with them as well.” 

Ambassador Ved Narahari described the campaign as “bigger than ever,” with a target of £200,000, potentially the largest amount raised by any UK university in Movember history.

Isca Church in Exeter is also taking part in International Men’s Day with activities focused on men’s wellbeing.

The church runs a monthly men’s group, bringing men together for social activities such as whisky tasting, discussions, and networking. 

These events are part of the church’s commitment to honoring and appreciating men, while also participating in the broader IMD movement, which promotes male health, supports male charities, and celebrates the positive contributions of men and boys to society.

Local residents in Exeter have welcomed the focus on men’s health. Mark Thomas, aged 34, said: “It’s really good to see the community coming together to talk about men’s issues. Things like mental health often get overlooked, so events like these make a real difference.”

Adding to this, Sarah Bennett, aged 42, said: “My husband took part in Movember this year, and it sparked conversations in our family about wellbeing and support that we probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.”