A GROUP of teachers from Maldon's Plume School have spent the past month sporting some very unusual facial hair.
The 15 teachers have grown and groomed moustaches, from the handlebar to the cowboy, in a bid to raise money for charities supporting men's health, especially prostate and testicular cancer for "Movember".
And the array of facial hair is all down to PE teacher Dan Rose, who persuaded his colleagues to take part in Movember after he beat testicular cancer in 2011.
And as well as supporting Movember, Mr Rose will be running the London Marathon next year for the Orchid Cancer Charity, which supported him through his illness.
He said: "It was just by chance that I was diagnosed. I found a lump when I was in the shower and went to the doctors. I wasn't worried and thought it would be an infection or a cyst; cancer never once entered my head.
"Obviously when I got the diagnosis I was so shocked but throughout I've tried to stay positive.
"I just thought I was being normal but all my family and friends have said how well I've coped with my diagnosis and how strong I've been."
Mr Rose had testicular cancer diagnosed in 2011, aged 29. He was given the diagnosis at the same time as local cricketer David Randall.
Unfortunately David, 27, died earlier this year after losing his battle against bowel cancer.
He added: "I was a fit PE teacher so getting cancer was just something I had never even considered.
"It wasn't until I was diagnosed that I found out that testicular cancer affects men from 17-35 the majority of the time.
"So it really is a young man's cancer and now, having found that out, I want to help raise awareness among other young men who may be thinking they have questions about their manhood but may be too shy to ask or think that it can't happen to them.
"I'm not embarrassed about any part of the illness or the operation to remove my testicle and I openly talk to the kids at school if they've got any questions.
"I held an assembly for the sixth form and it is really important to know about the illness."
David added: "We did Movember in the PE department last year but so many other teachers wanted to get involved this year, especially as I'm running the marathon.
"The kids have loved the moustaches and were disappointed on Monday when it was gone – my wife wasn't, however."
Having beaten cancer, Mr Rose will be taking on the marathon in April 2013.
To support him, visit www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Rose2
