The Plymouth warship HMS Argyll’s crew have been raising more money for charity during their busy deployment.
Devonport-based sailors on the Type 23 Frigate have been battling with each other to grow the best moustache onboard and raise money for the ‘Movember’ charity event. The national yearly event looks to support men’s health issues such as prostate cancer.
63 sailors took part in the annual event to raise money for the men’s health charity – but one man won by a whisker.
Medical assistant, Wayne Orchard, known to friends as ‘Apples’ [of course he is], fought of the competition with his impressive fuzz.
Blushing russet, ‘Apples’ says: ‘I simply thought that it would be a good idea to have a bit of fun onboard growing a moustache while also raising money in support of prostate cancer. I never thought that I would win in the end.’
The hairy crew raised £300 for the Movember challenge – on top of the £4,000 they have already raised since deployed in June.
Lieutenant Matthew Turner, the ship’s charity officer says: ‘We chose our ship’s charities for the most popular causes at the start of the deployment and the participation in events and fund raising has been tremendous.’
‘Our total is over £4,000 now and I hope we will reach £5,000. The charities chosen have personal significance for members of the crew so it really means something to help them out.’
HMS Argyll has been deployed in the Caribbean providing reassurance and humanitarian aid to the area. They have conducted counter narcotics supported by the US coast guard, which has led to three significant drug busts to date.
Note: ‘Apples’ Orchard – HMS Argyll’s Movember winner, is pretty easy to identify in the photograph at the top.
