Welsh co-lead takes part in Movember’s Move 60km challenge

15 December 2023

The Welsh co-lead has helped raise more than £2,600 for men’s health charities by taking part in this year’s Movember campaign.

Leigh Godfrey was among several Police Federation board members who decided to take part in ‘Move 60km’, a challenge that saw participants walk, run or cycle 60km in November to remember the 60 men who die as a result of suicide across the world every hour.

Movember takes place each year, with more than 316,000 men from across the globe getting involved with the annual campaign this year, raising both awareness and money for men’s health projects and charities worldwide.

The awareness-raising month initially launched in 2003, originally as a moustache-growing challenge. Since then, the campaign has grown and now allows everyone to get involved.

Welsh co-lead Zac Mader having a PSA test.

“Movember is widely known for raising awareness of prostate and testicular cancer but over the past 20 years, it’s become so much more than that,” said Leigh.

“As well as shining a light on prostate and testicular cancer - which remains at the forefront of the campaign - Movember now supports more than 1,300 varying men’s health projects, with a huge focus on suicide and mental health.

“Sadly, suicide and mental health are huge issues within the police force, and men especially, don’t talk about it as much as we should. The Move 60km challenge gives everyone the chance to get involved, and encourages everyone - not just men - to start talking more about men’s health.”

Alongside Leigh, a number of fellow Fed reps from across the Welsh branches took part, including secretary and treasurer of North Wales, Mark Jones.

“It’s a fun campaign to be part of, but one which comes with some serious messaging,” added Leigh.

“A big well done to everyone who took part and helped raise more than £2,600 for Movember. I’ll be taking part again next year and hope to get as many other members to get involved as possible.”

Alongside Movember, Leigh and fellow Welsh co-lead Zac Mader helped organise the first Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) men’s health webinar.

The online session, which was sponsored by Health Cash Plans - HSF UK and took place on 16 November aimed to help change men’s attitudes towards health, while encouraging them to talk about their mental and physical wellbeing.

Also during November - which is Men’s Health Awareness Month - Leigh and Zac organised for free PSA tests and cholesterol tests to be given at the PFEW National Council meeting in Cardiff. The PSA test is specifically for men and is a blood test to help detect prostate cancer.

“More than 100 PSA tests were carried out that day, which I’m very proud of,” added Leigh.

“Not only does providing these tests get the conversation around prostate cancer and men’s health going, but more importantly, they could save lives.

“As a Federation, PFEW is committed to challenging and changing the attitudes towards men’s health and we hope to organise similar events and webinars in 2024.”