FREENOW partner with Movember to get men talking

Ireland’s leading mobility app, FREENOW has partnered with Movember for one year across six European countries. Together, the goal is to raise vital funds, awareness and get people talking about men’s health.

To launch the collaboration, Movember and FREENOW have teamed up with TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea, Love Hate actor, John Connors, TV presenter and influencer, James Patrice, to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues.

What the stats say

According to research carried out by FREENOW among its driver partners to launch the campaign;

• 15% of FREENOW driver partners say they regularly come across passengers who are struggling with their mental health
• 68% of FREENOW driver partners say that having a chat with a passenger has a positive impact on their own mental health & wellbeing
• 46% of FREENOW driver partners say they never talk to anyone about their mental health

FREENOW's commitment to men's health

Throughout the month of November and right through to the end of February 2024, FREENOW passengers will be able to show their support for Movember through FREENOW’s 'Round Up to Donate' in-app feature, which allows passengers to round up their trip to the nearest euro with the difference being donated directly to Movember.

Together with Movember, FREENOW is also hosting virtual, in-person talks and training for its drivers’ partners in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Germany. The talks will cover mental health, relationships, and self-care.

Movember's work

Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,320 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men. Prioritising funding to three of the biggest health issues affecting men globally: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, Movember has invested over €300 million in 600 biomedical research projects, funded 4 prostate cancer registries with over 200,000 men enrolled from 19 countries, and made the moustache a must have accessory for the month of November.

Ireland's men

In Ireland, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime​ and approximately 170 men in Ireland are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. 

Most testicular cancer occurs in men under 45 years.​

These cancers are highly treatable but early detection and awareness of the symptoms is key.

According to CSO data, suicides rate in men in 2020 were 14.2 per 100,000* compared to the female suicide rate of 5.2 per 100,000*.

Suicide is the leading cause of death in men aged between 15 and 29 in Ireland, and over the past two decades, middle-aged men (aged 45–54) in Ireland have experienced the highest average suicide rate of any age group.​

How to get involved

Anyone can get involved this November by taking part in one of Movember’s fundraising challenges, which include growing a moustache for the month of November, walking, or running 60km across the month or hosting a mo-ment to raise awareness for men’s health issues.

They say...

Sarah Ouellette, Country Manager for Ireland at Movember, said:

“Movember has long been committed to changing the face of men's health, and through this partnership with FREENOW, we are expanding our reach and awareness in new and exciting ways.

We invite all FREENOW passengers, driver partners and people all across Ireland to join us this Movember by donating, fundraising, or initiating those crucial conversations about men's health to save lives.”

Elisa McKenna, Global Head of PR and Communications at FREENOW, said:

"We are proud to partner with Movember to raise vital funds, awareness and help drive conversation around men's health during the month of November. In addition to raising money for Movember through our in-app Round Up and Donate feature, we’ll also be offering a range of workshops and talks to our driver partners, covering subjects like mental health and self-care. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Movember as we work together to drive positive change."

FREENOW campaign ambassador, TV presenter and Olympian, Greg O’Shea said:

“I am delighted to team up with FREENOW to launch its partnership with Movember. Since it launched in 2003, Movember has done fantastic work in raising awareness for men’s health issues and opening up the conversation around mental health. There can be a reluctance for men to talk about their health – physical or mental. By creating a conversation around the subject, we can hopefully continue to break down the perceived taboos around talking about these issues. I would also encourage all FREENOW passengers to turn on the Round Up and Donate feature on the app during November and help support this worthwhile cause.”

About FREENOW

FREENOW is the Mobility Super App with the largest vehicle choice for consumers across Europe available in 9 markets and in over 150 cities. Users can access all types of mobility services within a single app including public transport services, taxis, private hire vehicles, car sharing, e-scooters, e-bikes, and e-mopeds.

FREENOW aggregates numerous mobility brands with the ambition to make urban mobility more efficient and sustainable without adding new vehicles on the street.

The German based company is backed by the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility.

In total, around 1,200 employees in more than 26 offices work for the services of FREENOW, which is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.

Visit FREENOW website for further information and download the FREENOW app for iOS or Android