Men reach for the razor as 'tache month' ends.

Moustache fever is finally coming to an end as Lincolnshire says goodbye to the month of “Movember”.

Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, which aims to highlight men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer.

For the past month, groups and organisations across the county have been taking part in Movember by growing out their facial hair to raise awareness, while also taking sponsorship and charitable donations for the cause.

At Lincoln County Hospital, Dr Andrew MacAllister persuaded his work colleagues to grow moustaches in aid of Movember. The hospital staff managed to raise about £600 from ward donations alone and are still taking donations online. By the time of the final total, they will have raised more than £1,000.

Junior doctor Joe Whitton, 28, said the Movember campaign had been well received at the hospital.

He said: “Men between the ages of 20 and 60 rarely seek health advice from doctors unless it’s something quite serious.

“We didn’t want to just raise money, but also raise awareness about various health issues men face and how important it is to get a check-up.

“Movember is not the most of ways to help raise awareness, but it’s been good fun. It certainly stimulates conversation about health issues, which is what Movember is all about.”

Meanwhile, pupils and teachers at Yarborough School also arranged events and activities to raise money and celebrate Movember.

Staff accepted sponsorship and donations for their moustache growth, while year 10 pupils arranged a non-uniform day with fake moustaches being sold to help raise more money. In total, the school raised just over £1,200.

Kerry Willey, student council co-ordinator, said the charity, which was chosen by the year 10 pupils in an effort to raise awareness of cancer risk on both men and women, had been a big success in the school.

She said: “We ended up with 10 members of staff and even a few husbands growing moustaches throughout the month.

“It’s been nice to see people have facial hair who don’t normally, while also helping to change the face of men’s cancer.”

Business teacher and head of sixth form Keith Jones said Movember had gone down very well at the school.

He said: “Many of the staff have taken part and some of the females even took to wearing false moustaches.

“I was quite shocked at how fast my moustache grew. I’ll be getting rid of it now Movember is over, though. The 1970s trucker look is not so big in 2009.”