November has been the annual month for kiwi men to grow out whiskers atop their upper lips to raise funds for testicular cancer since Movember first emerged in 2004. And this year the charity is continuing its annual tradition with Kiwi ad agency Us&Co.
A series of special coins, dubbed Mo-dollars and featuring the faces of New Zealand celebrities, have been minted to support men’s two best friends down south.
James Polhill, founder of Us&Co. explains how the agency decided to support the Movember movement.
“If four guys from Melbourne can spark a global health movement, surely a group of guys from God’s own can redefine charity locally and find creative ways to get people to dip into their ever-tightening wallets.”
Sport stars Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Joseph Parker are among those getting minted for good along with Rachel Hunter and Dick Frizzell.
So what’s the value of a Mo-dollar?
While Mo-dollars aren’t about to become legal tender anytime soon, each donation to a celebrity coin increases its value and helps fund programmes to improve the lives of men in New Zealand.
The winners of the one-off coins can also win additional prizes such as All Blacks jerseys, Playstation consoles, ringside seats and behind the scenes experiences.
Richie McCaw’s Mo-dollar coin, which comes with an All Blacks’ 2015 Rugby World Cup jersey signed by the captain of the men in black is in front of other coins at $8,550, well ahead of second-placed coin bearing the visage of Joseph Parker who is offering ring-side seats to fight for life in December.
New Zealand’s foremost pugilist, Joseph Parker is delighted to be involved.
“It’s a brilliant cause for the country to get behind and I’d urge everyone to dig a little deeper into their pockets this month. Unfortunately cancer in all forms is far too common these days and I’m truly humbled to be a part of this campaign.”
The Mo-dollars campaign was launched this week and runs until the end of Movember.
To participate, kiwis text the name of their favourite Mo-dollar minted celebrity to 2448 to donate $3 and enter the draw to win their coin and associated prizes.
For those of you struggling for follicle growth mid movember, here are some tips from classically trained actor and fine wood-worker Nick Offerman (also Ron Swanson from TV show Parks and Recreation) on how to grow a moustache.
