14-year-old Movember campaigner, William Heath, has been named a Point of Light by Prime Minister Theresa May for spreading awareness of men’s health to the next generation of men.
William lost his grandfather to testicular, pancreatic and prostate cancer when he was 12. Determined that not yet being able to grow his own moustache wouldn’t stand in the way of fundraising for the Movember Foundation, William dressed up as different moustachioed characters every day of the campaign, complete with an impressive array of fake mos.
Reaching out to hundreds of young people in preschools, sports clubs and scout groups, William has recruited an army of ‘Mini Mo Bros and Sistas’ to raise awareness and over £25,000 to date, hitting the huge total of £10,000 for this year’s efforts last night.
William’s incredible efforts have been recognised by the Prime Minister, May saying that the inspirational young man should be immensely proud of his achievements within the Movember campaigns and that his work is invaluable in its field.
“Your army of “Mini Mo Bros and Sistas” are changing the face of men’s health by making an important contribution to the Movember campaign.
“You should be very proud of your fantastic efforts to raise awareness and funds which will ultimately save lives.”
William’s award comes at the culmination of this year’s Movember campaign which has seen thousands of moustaches grown, physical challenges completed and events hosted, raising millions of pounds. With the money raised to date, the Foundation has funded over 1,200 game-changing programmes in prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide prevention around the world, whilst positively challenging the way in which men’s health issues are researched and addressed.
Regional Director of the Movember Foundation, Paul Mitcheson, said he was delighted to hear of William’s award and said that with the support of the Mini Mo Bros Movember is working hard to raise funds and awareness for men’s health.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that William has been chosen for a Points of Light award,” Mitcheson commented.
“William is a perfect ambassador for the Movember Foundation, and we love to hear stories about him representing us particularly to the younger generation, who are the next Mo Bros and Sistas of the world.
“William and his family and friends go above and beyond each year to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.”
William is the latest recipient of a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
MP for Daventry, Chris Heaton-Harris, said that the acknowledgement of William’s hard work is an incredible achievement for the youngster and that the whole region has got behind the Mini Mo Bros over the past three years.
“Will is an inspirational young person,” Heaton-Harris noted.
“Motivated to support Movember in memory of his grandfather, he has dedicated so much of his time to using his creativity for a good cause. I'm so pleased he is being recognised with a Point of Light award by the Prime Minister."
William is the 623rd winner of the Points of Light award in the UK which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Both President George H. W. Bush and President Barack Obama have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK which honours shining examples of volunteering across the country.
“I'm really excited to win this award and be named as a Point of Light,” William commented after collecting his award.
“It is an honour to be part of such an inspirational group of people.
“I would never have imagined that asking friends and family to support Movember in memory of my grandfather rather than give me cards or gifts for my 12th birthday would have been the start of this amazing journey.
“Three Movembers later and I feel like I am a part of the Movember Organisation, I hope that I have increased awareness of Men’s Health Issues within my community and amongst younger people.”
Northampton Saints has supported Will’s campaign since his fundraising began. Earlier this season, Saints held a Shave Down at Franklin’s Gardens in conjunction with the Mini Mo Bros to kick off Movember, priming men for their November mo growing.
The Mini Mo Bros have helped the Saints’ Movember team raise over £11,000 this year, the Mini Mo Bros bringing in well over half of that amount, raising the most of all the Aviva Premiership clubs and sitting seventh in the country overall as things stand.
“All of the Heath family have been friends of the Saints for many years,” Sian Haynes, Head of Community at Saints, commented.
“We’ve been delighted to have had them to be so prominent in helping us stay ahead of the rest of the Aviva Premiership clubs in terms of our Movember fundraising.
“Will and his family have been real driving forces, and the amount of money that he’s raised has been astounding. He deserves all of the praise he’s been getting.”
Everyone at Northampton Saints would like to extend their thanks to everyone who donated to this year’s campaign, helping us achieve our goal of raising £10,000 this year and pass their congratulations onto William for such a fantastic achievement.
