Reghan Tumilty insists the cancer diagnoses of fellow footballers Daniel Barden and David Brooks inspired him to spearhead Raith Rovers’ Movember campaign.
Tumilty’s donation page has surpassed £1000 and, given it is still the first week of the month, he is already sporting a mighty moustache.
And while a glance in the mirror raises a smile, he is fiercely passionate about the cause.
On-loan Livingston goalkeeper Barden, 20, was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer, while Bournemouth midfielder Brooks, 24, is fighting stage two Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Dundee United’s Ryan Edwards and Stenhousemuir’s Cammy Graham are among current SPFL players to have battled serious illness in the past.
“I wanted to play a small part in spreading awareness,” Tumilty told Courier Sport.
“For Daniel Barden and David Brooks to be diagnosed — young athletes — just shows that anyone can be effected, regardless of age or fitness.
“The more we can get people talking openly about all aspects of men’s health, the better.
“Even away from sport, one in two people are going to get cancer, so everyone will know someone who has been through challenges.
“Movember puts a lot of focus on men’s mental health as well. So, as daft as my face might look, it’ll be worth it if we can raise money for a good cause.”
Graduation Day
Indeed, the only downside is that Tumilty will be sporting a bouffant moustache when he proudly accompanies his girlfriend to her graduation ceremony this month.
A huge win on the road for the Rovers! 🚌
Matej Poplatnik at the double 💪#cinchChamp | @RaithRovers pic.twitter.com/2ObcnEuMiB
— SPFL (@spfl) October 4, 2021
Alexandra will be toasting the completion of her degree in Gender History from the University of Glasgow, and Tumilty laughed: “She absolutely hates it!
“She is thinking about the pictures, with me looking like this.
“I’ve just said: ‘You can’t be too upset, it’s for charity’.”
Weekend announced
The immediacy with which supporters have backed Tumilty’s campaign underlines his popularity with the Rovers faithful.
The tireless right-back has played every minute for the Fife outfit this term and boasts four assists.
Moreover, Tumilty’s ‘+3’ tweets which follow Rovers victories have become the unofficial starter pistol for Saturday night celebrations.
It’s still the weekend ladies & gentlemen. Apologies for the late +3 ✅ #saturdaynight🕺🏽 https://t.co/dYPLKbSegq
— ReghanTumilty (@regs_tumilty) October 31, 2021
“My Twitter blows up a bit more these days,” added Tumilty. “I get hounded if I don’t post after we win!
“After the win against Ayr last weekend, I wasn’t going to bother. Then I got messages from all directions — ‘where’s the tweet? What’s going on?’
“So I did it to keep everyone sweet.”
Toppling Queen of the South
And life will get even sweeter for those Rovers fans if the Fifers claim victory against Queen of the South on Saturday.
Raith have not lost in the Championship since a home defeat against Queens on September 11; a streak spanning eight matches.
“We’ve only lost three games all season, and one of those was at Celtic Park,” added Tumilty. “Hopefully we can keep that going on Saturday.
“But Queen of the South are one of the few teams that have beat us this season so we can’t take it lightly.”
*You can support Reghan’s Movember campaign HERE*
