Men go moustache-mad for Movember

Brands and charities around the world are uniting for Movember, a month-long moustache-growing event to raise funds and awareness for male cancers and other health issues.

Salvador Dali, Hulk Hogan, Tom Selleck: there are men who are defined by their hirsute upper lips, but there are plenty more who shy away from the moustache. However, one charity seeks to change that for one month every year.

Movember started as a charity appeal in 2004 in Australia and has quickly spread around the world, becoming a big hit in Canada, Britain, the United States, New Zealand and South Africa, and winning growing numbers of fans in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Movember asks participants to begin November clean-shaven and then "grow a Mo." Brands such as Gilette have gotten involved too, the famous razor brand reminding followers that "Movember starts with a clean shave chaps!"

Last year around 850,000 men around the world joined in with the Movember campaign, raising awareness and cash for men's cancers and health issues. The 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button, England soccer player Peter Crouch, and actor and writer Stephen Fry have all brandished their ‘taches for the event. The 2011 edition raised $126.3 million across the world.

In the US the ‘Mo Bros' have been sporting moustache bumper stickers. Brush and comb company Kent has produced a special ‘Movember and Sons' moustache comb sold with a $3 donation to Movember. The tiny comb can be attached to a key ring to help tame new facial fuzz.

The campaign has even launched official iPhone and Android apps to help participants track their success.

There's plenty more to check out. Prostate Cancer UK has produced a humorous guide to moustachioed soccer players from years past.

Follow the growth of the Movember movement on: www.movember.com

Twitter hashtag - #MoBros