Moustache charity winners net prizes

An agricultural business manager has won a trip to New York after he grew a distinctive moustache to raise funds and awareness of men’s health.

Rob Willetts from Smarden in Kent scooped the weekend for two plus £500 spending money in a competition run by grass seed specialist British Seed Houses to support the Movember campaign.

BSH invited its customers to grow a moustache submitting ‘before and after’ photos in a bid to win the trip.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” says Rob, who works for merchants Lillico Attlee. “It was a real surprise as there was such strong competition for who grew the best ‘mo’.

“My wife Penny will come to New York with me, but we’ve still to decide when. I’ve never been there before and I can’t wait to see the sights, take in a show and experience the nightlife.”

Rob also raised £730 in sponsorship for the men’s health charity, although was the butt of a little mickey-taking. “Apart from looking ridiculous – which is part of the fun – and feeling uncomfortable, it was worth it. But I wasn’t sorry when I was able to shave it off at the end of the month! “

William Gilbert, managing director of BSH, said: “With so many men working in our industry, Movember is an ideal cause for us to get involved with, especially as men’s health issues often get ignored.”

Meanwhile, in another ‘Mo’ competition run by BSH specifically for Young Farmers, a Cornish man won £500 on behalf of his Young Farmers Club.

Beef and sheep farmer Alex Hutchings, 25, scooped the prize on behalf of Lostwithiel and raised £350 in sponsorship for the men’s health charity after growing his eye-catching ‘mo’ during November.