Australian and British aerobatic teams face off for Movember

The charity fundraising initiative Movember has led to an unlikely dogfight between the aerobatic display teams of Australia and Britain.

The Roulettes, the aerobatic display team of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), have challenged their counterparts from the Royal Air Force, the Red Arrows, to a ‘Mo Off’.

In an effort to raise awareness for men’s health and increase donations to Movember, pilots from both teams will grow moustaches and seek donations for their efforts.

An element of competition has been introduced, whereby members of the public will be asked to vote for which pilot and team has the best looking ‘mo’.

Squadron Leader Steve Baker, team leader for the Roulettes, said he was confident his team could out-manoeuvre and out-follicle the Red Arrows.

“With the public’s help, this will echo some of the most heated of Ashes Test Series between our two countries,” Squadron Leader Baker said.

“We’re confident that the public will be every bit as impressed with our moustache growing ability as they are with our precision aerobatics, and will vote accordingly.”

Photos from both teams will be posted to a Facebook Event Page at http://ra.af/W8qEHJ. From December 4 to 9, members of the public will be invited to register their vote by clicking ‘like’ for each photo, and encouraged to provide a donation to Movember. 

“The publicity generated from this will help emphasise the core messages of Movember, which is for men to take a greater focus on their health,” Squadron Leader Baker said. 

“Whilst members of the public participate in our ‘Mo Off’, we encourage them to donate funds that will go towards treatment of male mental depression and prostate cancer.”

Last year, the RAAF raised more than $80,000 for Movember. In 2012, more than 500 participants have joined the RAAF Movember Network, with a goal of raising $100,000.

Media Note:

The Royal Australian Air Force Movember Network page can be found athttp://au.movember.com/mospace/network/raaf. The Royal Air Force Movember Network page can be found athttp://uk.movember.com/mospace/network/RAF