The founder of the Walk and Talk For Men programme in Preston starts another year supporting Movember today, on 1st November.
Rob Flood first began taking part in the initiative – which sees men grow moustaches every November in the name of testicular cancer, prostate cancer and men’s suicide – more than a decade ago, and has since become a Movember community ambassador.
Alongside growing a moustache, men taking part will raise funds for the Movember Foundation, which supports men tackling said issues.
Rob, whose own fundraising target is £1,000, explained how becoming a community ambassador set him on a journey that saw Walk and Talk For Men come to fruition in Preston, and subsequently lead to Walk and Talk For Lilywhites – which is run by PNECET and is for both men and women of all ages – being formed, too.
“Last year, I set myself a personal challenge to walk 250km for Movember, and as part of that, I met another community ambassador, James Mace, from Essex,” Rob said.
“He had set up a Walk and Talk For Men group and I wanted to do something in Preston that would be more prolonged so that I could actively be in the community and help men to get out and come along for a walk, in Avenham and Miller Park. That’s been quite successful and we have our year anniversary coming up next year.”
Walk and Talk For Lilywhites was then formed in July of this year and Rob recently came down to join the walk, and was pleased to notice the benefits it is providing.
“It was nice being able to get down. It’s a big group. It was really nice to see the mix of people and see people who don’t necessarily know each other getting together and sharing a walk.
“You can come and talk about anything and everything in a comfortable environment. With it being outside, for those people who might be isolated, it gets them out of the house and speaking to other people.
“It was quite refreshing to see people getting together in an outdoor environment with people they don’t know and being quite comfortable to do that.”
Rob is hosting an event at the Market Ale House in Leyland as part of his fundraising activities on Saturday 6th November from 5.30pm, with live music, a raffle and a shave down for men taking part in Movember, with all welcome to join and support the fundraising efforts. Find out more here.
Walk and Talk For Lilywhites is a weekly walking group hosted by Preston North End Community and Education Trust. Anyone is welcome to join, with walkers meeting at the Sir Tom Finney Splash every Thursday from 10.15am, before setting off around Moor Park at 10.30am. Simply fill in the online PAR-Q by clicking here ahead of your first visit.