A half marathon that is great for men’s health

This tireless fundraiser has been dragging his mates on gruelling runs, including a half marathon 1300 metres up Hobart’s Mount Wellington, for the past 11 years.

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Tom Windsor is a high achiever.

This tireless fundraiser has been dragging his mates on gruelling runs, including a half marathon 1300 metres up Hobart’s Mount Wellington, for the past 11 years – and charging them for the privilege.

Triggered by the death of his father when he was 23, Tom has turned a family tragedy into a fundraising phenomenon and helped many men along the way.

Tasmanian Tom and his Mobart MoBros have been Australia’s top Movember fundraisers for the past two years and he’s hoping to do it again this year.

“We set a target every year and I think our target this year will be to be the number one team in Australia again,” he said, adding that he is keen for challengers as that can often drive donations even higher.

Tom started the Mobart MoBros in 2006 and it’s grown every year since. Originally it was a great way for his mates to show support to him and his family after his father’s death from suicide but now he wants to stop so many young men from dying too young.

“My mates had always been really supportive in regard to my experience with mental illness and the way it had affected my family,” he said. “Doing something fun like growing a Mo was almost a relief.”

He and his MoBros are determined to tackle all men’s health issues including depression and prostate cancer and their efforts are all about engaging the community and creating events that people want to be part of.

“We don’t chase people for donations. We created something that people gravitated towards and it’s overwhelming every year,” Tom said. “It is a sign of how much need there is for opportunities to support men’s’ health.”

The Mobart MoBros have raised over $420,000 for Movember over the past 11 years and attracted more than 600 registered participants.

“We have taken on the mantle as chief operators of any moustache- based events in our capital city,” he said. Each year the team is made up of different Mo Bros and Mo Sistas – some return year on year but others are new. So many people are affected by different men’s health issues and are joining us for their own reasons so I never have to look too far for willing team members. “

Besides the Point to Pinnacle run up Mt Wellington, which will be held on November 19 this year, there is also the Movember Gala party which will be on November 25. Everyone is welcome, said Tom.

“The Hobart Gala is where Tasmania’s weird and wonderful Mos come together to celebrate 30 days and nights well grown,” he said. “Just as MONA has brought out the best in Tasmania’s art community, the Gala does the same for the Mo community. You see some pretty different things at the event.”

Get Motivated. Support Movember and help stop men dying young. Donate at movember.com and be the difference in a man’s life. This article is published in partnership with the Movember Foundation.

Originally published as A half marathon that is great for men’s health