Transocean Prospect Team Grow “Mo’s” for Charity

GALLERY: 2009 Employee Photo Contest Winners

VIDEO: WSJ Visits the Discoverer Clear Leader

VIDEO: A Next Generation Driller is Responsible

Moustace

Thanks the 2009 “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” aboard the Transocean Prospect: Mark Cruikshank, Matt Goggins, Mark Housten, Jim Skinner, Peter McClurg, Davie Baldie, Andrew Anderson, Davie More, Phil McPhee, Lewis Simpson, Jim Edwards, Duncan Leitch, Stuart Greive, Dougie Bunce, Hayden Quarmby, Barry Scott, Billy MacKenzie, Brian Porter, Bob Watson, Bruce Hodgens, Duncan Mclean, Andy Barnes, Morag McPherson, Louise McGregor and Dana Johnston.

A ’stache for cash. That was the M.O. for crewmembers aboard the Transocean Prospect when the team participated in “Movember” 2009, a moustache-growing charity event held each year during November that raises funds and awareness for men’s health – especially prostate cancer.

Mark Cruikshank, Night Baker for ESS Catering on the rig, served as the ringleader for this year’s event, which resulted in horseshoes and Hungarians (we were hoping for a Fu Manchu … maybe next year), but most importantly, more than £1,600 ($2,600) for the Movember Foundation.

“In a largely male environment on the rigs, I felt more of us should take care, and make ourselves aware of what our bodies are telling us,” said Mark.

Donations came in through colleagues onboard, via social networking sites such as Facebook, and even the North Sea Divison Welfare Committee, which contributed £300 to the cause.

“This cause has become all the more personal for us, as one of our own crewmembers was diagnosed this year with prostate cancer,” said Mark. Fundraising efforts continued for this crewmember in December, when the team was trying to raise enough money to send him and his family to a theme park for a vacation.

The Movember Foundation describes a “Mo Bro” as a walking billboard for the cause. “His new look opens the door for him to talk about cancers affecting men – making the moustache a symbol, much like the pink ribbon is for breast cancer,” says the Movember Foundation. And while growing a Mo is left to the Bros, “Mo Sistas” are important participants in Movember, recruiting Mo Bros and helping to raise money.

To learn more, visit www.movember.com.