Fifty Snap On franchisees got behind the Movember charity initiative this year and raised more than $30,000.

In addition to the funds for Beyond Blue and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the month-long event aims to raise awareness and help ensure early detection and better treatments.

One Snap On franchisee, Cairns-based Shane Bruni, raised approximately $18,000 through sausage sizzles and raffle tickets. And as a result of Bruni’s Movember efforts, one of his customers visited the doctor for a check-up and found that he has early stages of prostate cancer, which can be treated as it has been detected early.

“Movember is a cause that’s close to my heart,” said Bruni. “My father had a prostate cancer scare, but early detection was the key. I just think raising awareness to encourage Australian men to get regular check-ups is so important.”

One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and one in eight men will experience depression in their lifetime.