Chest tattoos, ankle injuries and Mamba mentality: How Nick Rochford raises the bar time and again

If you’re looking for wild Movember fundraising ideas, Kiwi Mo Bro Nick Rochford is your man. Over four epic hairy seasons, he’s raised thousands for men’s health. All while looking for the next crazy way to top his fundraising tactics.

If your Mo had a superpower, what would it be? And which famous moustache do you think you could pull off best?

Superpower? Easy. The ability to change my Mo into any style instantly. Full handlebars? Done. Twizzler? Absolutely. As for famous Mo styles, I reckon I could pull off a Salvador Dali.

Tell us about your fundraising ideas over the years.

The fan favourite (not Mum’s) is definitely the $1 raffle. $1 equals one entry. I’ve raffled off some wild prizes: “Fly to you for a weekend of whatever,” a $600 electric razor gifted by a sponsor, even “choice of my haircut for a month.”

What’s one fundraising idea that’s been a total hit?

Pick the location of my Mo tattoo. I now have the Movember moustache inked on my chest, which raised $5.5k in 2023. That was followed by another raffle where the winner picked which Pokémon I’d get tattooed and after $6.9k fundraised, I got a Squirtle on me. Mum made me promise I wouldn’t do it again… but better to ask forgiveness than permission, especially when men’s health is on the line.

Can you share one standout memory from your Movember adventures?

During the tattoo raffle, I also decided (last minute) to run 5km every day for the month. I’m not a runner, but I figured it was a good way to look after my health. What I didn’t realise was I had three torn ligaments from a sprained ankle in Budapest two months earlier. After being told not to run, I did it anyway — 5km a day, every day. That challenge was for me, as much as it was for men’s health. Plus, posting daily updates helped drive donations. I didn’t miss a day, and the ankle’s all good now.

How do you keep your fundraising fresh and fun? Any ideas you’ve had but decided not to do?

I bounce my ideas off my mates, Tom and Fish, to check if they’re too crazy and to score some Two Dudes skincare prizes from Tom. They’ve talked me down a few times… but recreating the Lewis Capaldi Forget Me music video still lingers in my mind. Maybe this year.

What keeps you coming back to Movember year after year? To quote the legend Kobe Bryant: “Job’s not finished.” Men’s health isn’t where it needs to be, so we go again. And the Movember community keeps me inspired every year.

What changes have you seen in your community regarding men’s health awareness?

People know what Movember stands for now. It’s not just growing a Mo, it’s raising money and educating men to look after themselves and their mates. Men’s health resources aren’t just last resorts anymore. They’re tools people actually use, which is awesome to see.

What’s your advice for first-time fundraisers?

You don’t need a crazy fundraiser or even a solid Mo (I’m proof). Find something that inspires you. Awareness is key, so check out Movember’s cause areas, and tell your mates about them. Don’t be afraid to post about it, you’ll be surprised how far a simple story can go.

Ready to kick off your own fundraiser? Check out all the tools and resources to help you get started at movember.com/support-us/fundraising-resources.