Media Release Nov 6, 2009

Movember Stars on NZ’s Favourite Soap

Stars of New Zealand’s favourite hospital drama Shortland Street are the latest celebrities to come on board in support of Movember.

Eagle eyed viewers will soon notice sexy stars Michael Galvin (Dr Chris Warner) and Peter Mochrie (Dr Callum McKay) sporting stylish Movember cufflinks on-screen in support of the moustache growing charity.

Movember posters adorning the walls of the hospital cafeteria will also be seen as many of Shortland Street’s nurses including Tania Jeffries (Faye Smythe) and Tracey Morrison (Sarah Thomson) catch up on their gossip over a cuppa.

Publicist for South Pacific Pictures, Rachael Keereweer, says the Shortland Street team is excited about getting behind the charity.

“We’re proud that we are able to show our support for Movember by giving it exposure on the show,” she says. “We hope that all of Shortland Street’s loyal fans will also get on board by growing a mo or sponsoring a friend taking part!”

The Movember Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organisation which raises awareness around men’s health issues and funds for carefully selected charity partners around the globe. This year’s funding will go to the Cancer Society of New Zealand in support of prostate cancer and the Mental Health Foundation for its ‘Out of the Blue’ depression awareness campaign.

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Movember organiser Jim Slattery says it is great that one of the country’s highest rating television programmes is showing its support for the charity.

“It’s a great coup that some of New Zealand’s most popular actors are backing the charity on Shortland Street,” he says. “If we can get as many people as possible joining in the fight to improve men’s health, this year will definitely be the most successful ever.”

Movember is now a world-wide phenomenon with 160,000 people around the globe helping to raise the profile of prostate cancer last year and educate men about their health. Last year 13,000 Kiwi guys took part raising almost a million dollars for the charity.

To pre-register or to find out more information, visit www.movember.co.nz.

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