Queensland broker nears top of Movember donations leaderboard

Hunter Broking MD Josh Ryan has raised $20,980 in the 2022 Movember fundraising campaign to promote men’s health awareness.

The campaign, in which participants can don a moustache for the month of November, funds medical research, programs and innovative treatments.

Queensland-based Mr Ryan sits at seventh highest fundraiser in the Australia-wide leaderboard, taking the amount he has raised since 2018 to $66,405.

“My Mo-Mates Movember campaign is nearing to an end and I am blown away at what we have achieved,” Mr Ryan tells insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“We are currently second in Queensland and are extremely happy with this outcome. I want to thank my family, friends, clients and insurer partners for their support.”

Mr Ryan, who is passionate about general and mental health after losing brother-in-law Matt to suicide, attended a gala dinner on Friday and spoke toover 200 people and auctioned memorabilia donated to the cause, raising an additional $500.

“I shared my family’s experience and many people wanted to chat to me and open up afterwards which was incredible,” he said.

“Matt didn’t show any signs or how much he was truly struggling. I want to raise as much awareness as possible. Hopefully by encouraging conversation and self-checks, we can improve the statistics. If you open up to others, they are more inclined to open up to you.”

There has been a 30% rise in men dying by suicide over the past decade – with 60 men lost to suicide globally every hour – while 42% of fathers have anxiety over parenting.

In past years, Mr Ryan encouraged donations and awareness with challenges, revealing he previously “had my mo waxed off and also dyed it bleach-blonde”. He has now teamed with the Springfield Mo-Men campaign which has received donations ranging from gifts cards and services, to tickets to the Queensland Reds and a new ipad for a prize raffle.

“I will continue to learn more about this wonderful cause and do all I can to save just one person where possible,” Mr Ryan said. “I want to encourage others to become a Mo-Mate and help raise funds and awareness together. You don’t have to grow a mo, you just need to raise awareness.”

Mo-Mates donations can be made here.