(SOUTH AFRICA) November 20, 2012 – 2012 marks the 3rd Anniversary for Movember in South Africa, with men from all over the country growing a moustache in support of this cancer fighting initiative. This campaign aims at raising awareness around cancers prevelant in men, and encourages companies and individuals to raise money with the ultimate goal of improving future research.
Kia Motors South Africa is actively involved in Movember this year and recently launched its first interactive ‘Movember’ campaign, referred to as the Kia ‘Mo’ Squad. It’s headed up by none other than South Africa’s favourite ‘Snor’, Pieter de Villiers, referred to as Coach ‘Mo’.
Since the beginning of the month, the public has been encouraged to become members of the Kia ‘Mo’Squad by enrolling on the Movermber website (movember.com). At the end of November, the winner stands a chance to win R50 000 for CANSA, as well as an iPad. There are also 14 iPods up for grabs.
Another very active individual in support of Movember, is Kia brand ambassador and host of the Kia Take40 SA show on 94.7 Highveld stereo and 94.5 KFM, Mark Pilgrim. Pilgrim has made it his personal mission to raise as much as possible for this initiative during the month of November. “This is a great initiative”, comments Pilgrim. “Having been personally affected by cancer I realise how important campaigns like these are in creating awareness of the disease. Early detection save lives” he adds.
During last week’s live show, Mark had a brief on-air discussion with Ray Levin, CEO of Kia Motors South Africa about the topic. Being the number 1 individual Movember fundraiser in 2012, Pilgrim set high goals from the get go. Levin challenged Pilgrim on air and commited to donating R50 000 to CANSA if Pilgrim could reach R50 000 in donations. Early on Wednesday morning Pilgrim reached his target and his funds raised were doubled to R100 000.
“I am over the moon and, as an ambassador for CANSA, I would like to thank Kia for the donation”, commented an excited Pilgrim. “Its companies like Kia that really make a difference in peoples lives, and I know this money will be well spent by both CANSA and the Movember Foundation”.
To date, Pilgrim has raised over R157 000, and is hoping to make it R250 000 by the end of the month.
At the end of November, Kia will announce a winner in its Movember campaign, and donate a further R50,000.00 to CANSA.
David Sieff, the National Marketing Manager concludes, ‘For Kia, this type of initiative is important to being part of peoples lives and making a difference. It’s not good enough that we participate in the business realm by providing great vehicles, we have to participate in area’s that promise a better life for everyone’, he concludes.
