Coles ambassador and 2023 MasterChef winner Brent Draper has chopped off his beard to launch the 2024 Coles Movember campaign.
This month, a portion of sales from participating products sold at Coles will be donated to Movember to support programs and initiatives across Australia to address mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Participating products include the entire men’s personal care range, selected Listerine dental products, selected Coles, MasterFoods and Nando’s sauce ranges, and the popular Coles Bakery mo-shaped two-pack iced donuts.
Mr Draper, who famously withdrew on-air from series 13 of MasterChef due to mental health struggles before returning for the 2023 series, says he is delighted to help raise funds and awareness for Movember.
“Movember is a cause that is close to my heart for many reasons and I’m honoured to shave off my beard for the first time in 12 years to help launch the 2024 fundraising campaign at Coles,” he says
“My father-in-law has battled prostate cancer in recent years, and I’ve had to overcome my own mental health challenges to make a successful comeback on MasterChef and to be where I’m now. These experiences have inspired me to support Movember because I know that there are many Aussie men who are facing their own physical and mental health challenges.”
Coles Group Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Officer Sally Fielke says all funds raised at Coles will be donated to Movember to help support vital men’s health initiatives.
“Coles is proud to have contributed to the funding of over 1300 men’s health initiatives globally through our longstanding partnership with Movember, with the support of our team members, customers and suppliers,” she says.
“Our team members love getting behind Movember each year by signing up to the Movember Coles Group Challenge and we hope our customers can join in the movement too by simply purchasing any men’s personal care products, selected sauces and mouthwashes or our limited-edition Coles Bakery Movember iced donuts this month at Coles.”
Further efforts
In addition to raising funds for Movember, Coles has also partnered with Movember and the AFL to present over 900 ‘Ahead of the Game’ youth mental health workshops to AFL community clubs across Australia.
The free youth mental health program teaches players, parents, coaches, umpires and volunteers to understand mental health, build mental fitness and strengthen resilience.