November 29 was a big day for Farnham Rugby Club in their Movember fundraising efforts.

Firstly current players Alex Chalker and Robert Mitchell set off at the crack of dawn in a world record attempt to map out the largest moustache completed on foot in one go. The total distance covered across London in the process was 84km.

Movember is a men’s health charity focusing on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Alex and Rob said: "There is a real suicide crisis in Surrey. In the latest 2022 data, 83 lads died by suicide - 83 lads too many. The equivalent to seven a month. A total of six rugby teams in a single year.

“Each kilometre we ran was a tip of the hat to those boys who didn't make it through. The 84th kilometre was for the lad whose life is saved by raising awareness and getting people talking."

Just as Alex and Robert were finishing, another 50 Farnham members were setting off from Twickenham to walk the 60km back to the club.

The team were given access to the stadium to start their walk from the players' tunnel this year, which set them up brilliantly for the gruelling trek ahead.

Leaving Twickenham at 11pm and capitalising on a brief weather window, the team marched through the night to arrive back at the club in time to watch the top of the table clash between Farnham and Tottonians, a match the home team won to move into first place in the league.

Alex Chalker and Rob Mitchell, November 29th 2024.
Alex Chalker and Rob Mitchell at the end of their 84km run (Farnham Rugby Club)

Farnham’s Movember skipper Oliver Banks Thompson said of the two events: "It's been a record year for the Farnham Movember team, with £52,158 raised for a great cause.

“To put that into perspective, our local community club is currently in first place on the UK Sports and All Team leaderboards and tenth place on Movember's worldwide table.

“Many thanks to all in the area who got behind the club to make this year such a success. It couldn't have happened without your support!"

To donate to the team visit https://movember.com/t/farnham-rufc?mc=1