Aussie John “SyMO” joins property industry Movember charity campaign

Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond is doing his bit for prostate cancer research and male mental health awareness by growing a moustache (and tweeting photos of its progress) for the now traditional Movember charity campaign.

Along with new moustache, the Aussie founder has jestingly adopted a new name – John "SyMO”.

Movember was officially started in Melbourne in 2004 and calls on men to grow moustaches over the course of November to raise awareness and donations to tackle prostate cancer and depression.

Others in the industry taking part in the campaign include 27 employees from unlisted property fund manager ISPT, who have to date raised over $15,000 for Movember.

Melbourne-based property valuers and advisers Opteon have raised nearly $4,000, with 25 members of the team growing moustaches.

James Clark, owner of Ray White Nundah in Brisbane, is also part of the campaign, as are Dean Wolfe and Chris Chapman from Fletcher's Eltham Office.

Potts Point estate agent Simon Polito at Laing Real Estate says he's donating his face to the cause by growing a moustache for the month.

"My Mo sparks conversations, and generates some laughs; all in the name of raising vital awareness and funds for prostate cancer and male mental health.

He says he's passionate about men's health as 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime; this year 20,000 new cases of the disease will be diagnosed and 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime.

Despite signs of a softening local economy, NAB’s inaugural Charitable Giving Index has found more Australians are putting their hands in their pockets for charities.

The index found that charitable giving in the seven months to July 2012 increased by 4.7% from the previous year and the average annual donation per donor increased 0.7% to $292.