A Kenilworth pub has raised over £1,700 for Movember - the leading charity for Men's Health in the UK.

Staff and guests at the Virgins and Castle grew their moustaches and raised money from friends, family colleagues, and guests, as well as a special donation from Gillette.

The month of no shaving culminated in their 'Big Shave-Off' event in the pub High Street today (December 1).

And they weren't sure if it was the swinging 60s, roaring 20s or Victorian 1880s with the variety of moustache styles grown at The Famous Virgins and Castle in Kenilworth as they took part in this year's Movember.

Chris Lewis, team leader at the Virgins and Castle said: "I was keen for us to support Movember at the V&C's because it's a cause that resonates with me and many of my colleagues and our guests.

"We think it's really important that we can have an open conversation around our mental and physical health and this is a really easy and fun way of doing that."

The team had set a target of £1,500 and with one day to go were just £25 off that figure before they received a surprise £25 donation from Gillette to tip them over.

Chris added: "We hit our target and we were so happy. More importantly we got people talking and we brought the team together.

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"I can't wait to grow my beard back - I'm not sure I'm a moustache kind of guy - maybe again next year though!"

The Movember Foundation has pledged to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by 2030.

With a focus on mental health, suicide, prostate cancer and testicular cancer - as well as other mens health issue, The Movember Foundation aims to change the face of mens health.

Grace Slade, wellbeing coordinator at the pub added: "Across our businesses we think it's really important to give-back and support causes that make a difference to our teams, our guests and to our community.

"Everyone that works at the pub receives a day off for volunteering or raising funds for a charity of their choice and so we were delighted when Chris took the lead on the Movember initiative."

The pub has previously raised over £1,000 for the Kenilworth Lions, after the cancellation of the 2020 Boxing Day duck race, and has also announced a series of wellbeing walks to support local people.

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