To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

LADs Take On Different Challenges For Donations To Raise Funds For Movember

LADs Take On Different Challenges For Donations To Raise Funds For Movember

The challenges include things like writing ‘Love, Laugh, Live’ in permanent marker on their forearms for all to see

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

When Ciarán McCarthy and his pals decided they wanted to do something to raise money for Movember - they started to think outside the box.

Movember is the leading organisation committed to changing the face of men's health. This year, Jameson is also raising money for Movember with the company creating a 'JaMOson Foam Mo Challenge'.

Most people grow the simple tashe (no shame, it's all for an amazing cause) for the month of November before shaving it off for a cold-lipped Christmas.

Ciarán McCarthy.
Instagram/stacheorpass

However, Ciarán and 11 friends went a step further by setting up a series of challenges and asking people to donate different amounts of money, enabling them to nominate a member of the group to do one of the tasks.

For donations of €10 (£8.90), €20 (£17.90) or €50 (£44.70) - the LADs live in Dublin, Ireland - they will embarrass themselves in various ways for the amusement of the donors. What a nice gesture.

Their tasks include things like: eating all day using chopsticks, completing a viral TikTok dance, writing 'Love, Laugh, Love' on their forearm in permanent marker, shaving their chest, waxing their legs and replicating Mark Wahlberg's daily routine.

Instagram/stacheorpass

Alongside Ciarán there are a number of mates including: Liam McCarthy (Ciarán's twin), Robbie Doyle (all 21), David Carroll, Jake Killeen, Conall Phelan, Kejan Lim, Daniel Lavin, Seán Keane, Harry Thompson (all 22), Matthew O'Donnell and Fedor Klimonov (both 23).

The LADs began planning in September, knowing how essential the money raised would be for men's mental health services. So they set about to make them as big as possible.

Speaking to LADbible, Ciarán said: "We wanted a name that drew people's attention, created intrigue and not only prompted people to donate to our cause but to join the Movember efforts themselves.

"'Stache or Pass' Itself was born on a gloomy Thursday morning zoom call a week prior to the beginning of Movember and it is in itself quite a large risk for our group."

Instagram/stacheorpass
Instagram/stacheorpass

As well as growing their moustaches and completing the challenges, the guys (who have dubbed themselves 'stachers') agreed that for every €300 (£270) raised they all have to keep their moustache for an extra week. Of course, this means that if donations skyrocket like they hope, it could be many months before they can shave their upper lips.

So far they have raised over €1200 (£1,000) in the first week and already have to keep our moustaches until the end of December.

Three of the guys - Conall, Jake and Matthew - aren't as well equipped when it comes to growing the ol' facial fuzz. So they've decided to run the distance of four marathons in the month.

Instagram/stacheorpass

Touching on the more serious side of the cause, Ciarán explained: "Our team as a whole have all experienced mental or physical health problems whether it be ourselves or in our family and it's something that is important to us to bring up.

"As a group of lads in Ireland mental health isn't exactly the first conversation topic over a pint in the pub (or a can on Zoom as it is right now). A few of us have suffered or known others to suffer in silence and it was actually quite shocking to hear a few members in recent weeks due to our Movember efforts talk about tough times they went through.

"After all we are a very close-knit group and to be unaware of a mate going through a tough time is a surprise. Nonetheless it highlighted how important this cause is for raising awareness for men across the world to speak out and to not be afraid to tell their mates if times are tough.

"Movember was a no brainer after talking about this topic earlier this year and we really wanted to make it as much craic as possible and give people something or someone to have a giggle at and take their mind off the lockdown situation."

It's not just donors that have been given a reason to smile, but the group are also really enjoying their charitable feat. Ciarán added: "It has been a tough few months of lockdown and not seeing your mates takes away an important opportunity to blow off steam.

"Through starting 'Stache or Pass' it gave us the chance to come together as a group and work towards collective goal and seeing the donations fly in this week has lifted everyone's moods and gave us a reason to smile which in 2020 seems rare.

"It shows us that with a bit of hard work, working together and having a bit of craic can make a bigger difference than any of us could have ever imagined and for that we are grateful to all who have supported us over this first week."

You can follow the LADs' Movember efforts on Instagram, TikTok or donate here.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/stacheorpass