Given the general uneven nature of follicle development whenever I let my facial hair run free, I hesitated before signing up for a men’s health fundraiser based around cultivating mustaches during the month of November.

But I finally decided that if my upper-lip whiskers develop in a manner that raises the question of whether I have mange, the cause is worth the embarrassment.

The global charity Movember aims to encourage men, who often mistakenly consider themselves the more indestructible of the two genders, to think about health issues.

Also, funds raised by sponsoring “Mo Bros” who grow mustaches during November, and “Mo Sistas,” who also grow … actually, no, their participation is generally limited to supporting the men in their lives and encouraging them to get involved … support health programs combating prostate and testicular cancer, as well as mental health issues.

Movember started in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003. I’ve never taken part before, but as a reporter back in my native land, I witnessed several hitherto baby-faced-but-hard-nosed newsroom colleagues suddenly develop mustaches after signing up for the campaign.

Perhaps my involvement this year will start the trend among reporters in America, and our sports writer Titus Mohler will be the next one to give up his smooth complexion.

According to the Movember Foundation, more than 1.1 million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world got on board in 2012, raising $147 million, including more than $21 million in the United States.

So there you have it. Folks can sponsor me by visiting www.movember.com, clicking the “Donate” button then searching my name (the Matthew Ward in Portsmouth.)

Anyone wanting to check the credentials of the charity, or learn more about it generally, before donating can find all the information they need on the website.

And to other guys out there, if you want to sign up and grow a mo’ for the cause but have already shaved this month, don’t worry about that; there’s plenty of Movember left yet.

Ladies, don’t forget you can also sign up as a Mo Sista in support of a mustache-grower.

If you decide to, let us know and we might even be able to help drum up some support.