Local firefighter Tee Wade is blazing his own trail putting a unique spin on Movember.
Traditionally, men grow their facial hair during the month of November to raise funds and awareness for men’s health, but Mr Wade, with his already well-established ‘mo, was a few less haircuts above the rest.
Still wishing to participate in the charity, he thought of doing a Reverse Movember.
The leading firefighter at Shepparton Fire Rescue Victoria campaigned to shave his “permanent fixture” of lip fuzz off at the end of the month if he raised an all-time personal high of $1000 for the Movember movement.
“The most I’ve ever raised is around $900,” Mr Wade said.
“In addition to chopping my beloved ‘mo off at the end of the month to raise funds for mental health, I’ve been dyeing it a crazy new colour each week as an incentive.”
Mr Wade’s facial hair has dominated his upper lip for the past five years, sparking apprehension to remove it among those closest to him.
“There are a lot of people in my life now that have never seen me without a moustache,” he said.
“When I told my missus what I was planning, she said you can’t do that! Your ‘mo is a part of you now; you’ll look like you’re 16 years old again.
“I also said I’ll keep it off for an entire year if I can double my goal to $2000.”
As of Friday, December 1, Mr Wade had raised $2218.
Fellow firefighter Brad Nolen had the honour of razoring the iconic facial hair down due to his generous donation, which was the highest among their Shepparton FRV station.
“He slapped on a bit of shaving cream and teed up someone at the end to spray me with water,” Mr Wade said.
“Afterwards, I was walking around and felt the air con on my top lip for the first time in five years, which was a bit weird.”
The growing support for Mr Wade to change his face for men’s health has inspired him to showcase his whiskers for the cause once more.
“I plan to do Movember again next year; see how we go,” he said.
To donate to Tee Wade’s Reverse Movember campaign, visit https://movember.com/m/teewade?mc=1