There are just a few days left in the friendly Movember competition between Bradford Councillor Peter Ferragine and Innisfil Councillor Kenneth Fowler.
Earlier this month the Ward 5 councillors thought it would be fun to compete to see who could raise the most amount of money for their selected charities.
According to the Movember website, on average, men die four years earlier than women in Canada and globally, men are dying six years earlier than women, for largely preventable reasons.
Every November, all over the world individuals take part in the Movember moustache growing event, while raising money for groundbreaking health projects, – 1,250 and counting – uniting experts from all over the world to accelerate research, progress, and change for men's health.
Fowler has been growing both his mo' and his locks since last Movember, after he shaved it all off in support of Chai Lifeline Canada - an organization that provides support and programs for families of seriously ill patients, including those battling cancer.
Fowler vowed to shave his head if he raised $250 by the end of the month, and to let his nine-year-old son Gabe do the honours if he reached $500 in donations. If he raised $1,000, both the hair on his head and iconic beard would have to go.
This year, he is doing the same challenge, but in support of Royal Victoria Hospital. Funds raised will go to patient care at RVH and the positioning of state-of-the-art equipment to aid in the fight against prostate cancer.
Ferragine has been taking part in the Movember challenge every year since 2009. He says it's important to recognize men's health, especially mental health given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds he raises will be going towards the research and education to battle prostate cancer and testicular cancer, and men's mental health, including suicide prevention.
The councillors' fundraisers had a slow start, but halfway through started to pick up steam with Fowler forging ahead to the $3,000 mark just last week.
Trailing behind at around $1,000, Ferragine picked up the pace over the weekend and has slightly surpassed Fowler by around $500.
As of Sunday afternoon the totals stand at:
Ferragine: $3,620
Fowler: $3,150
But the competition isn't over yet.
The public has until end of day Nov. 30 to make their final donations to the councillors and their causes.
The losing participant must shave their mo' (and 'flo' for Fowler) while sporting a shirt of the opposing team's town logo.
To donate to Fowler's campaign, click here.
To donate to Ferragine's campaign, click here.
Stay tuned for the results on BradfordToday and InnisfilToday.
