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With November in full swing, we sat down with our very own Ollie Kaye to discuss why he's once again leading Nineteen's Movember campaign and why men's health conversations matter more than ever.

Nineteen: So Ollie, tell us what you're doing for Movember this year.

Ollie: I'll be shaving off my beard and growing a moustache – possibly going for a goatee, a la Tony Stark from the Iron Man movies. I'm also committing to running 4 kilometres every morning throughout November. I did 3k daily last year, so I'm stepping it up. But really, Movember is about more than the physical challenge. It's about starting conversations around men's mental health, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer.

Nineteen: Why is it so important to have these conversations, particularly around men's health?

Ollie: Being vulnerable is difficult, especially for men. Hopefully, Movember creates a safe space to start those conversations. Once people realise it's okay to talk, they can continue having those discussions throughout the year. With their friends, family, anyone. It's not just about November; it's about building a culture where we consistently look out for each other.

Nineteen: You mentioned being personally affected by these issues. Can you share more about that?

Ollie: Last year, three weeks into Movember, I had a really difficult weekend where I just couldn't get out of bed. The next day, instead of doing my usual 3k, I did 6k to catch up, and I wrote openly about what I'd experienced. The response was overwhelming – so many people reached out to check if I was okay. But what I really wanted people to take away was this: while it's lovely when people check on those who speak up, we also need to reach out to the quieter friends, or even the ones who seem overly bubbly. You never know the huge impact that a simple check-in can have on someone.

Nineteen: How can people at Nineteen get involved?

Ollie: We've built a Movember team across all of Nineteen. You don't have to grow a moustache – you can walk, run, or find your own way to raise awareness. Everyone will have their own donation link, and all funds will contribute to our team's total. I'll be sending round weekly updates on LinkedIn and internally, tracking our progress. And on the last Friday of November, we're planning a celebration where we'll take team photos and recognise everyone's efforts.

Nineteen: How can people support the campaign?

Ollie: Donate through our Nineteen Movember page – Every contribution helps fund vital research and support services for men's health. Whether you're growing, running, or simply donating, you're making a difference.

Want to support Ollie and Team Nineteen this Movember?

Make a donation by heading to Movember - Donate