MATTHEW NICKS is uncomfortable, and it’s not just because of the “hideous” crop of hair he recently began cultivating on his upper lip.

“It’s itching me, it’s disgusting,” Nicks told portadelaidefc.com.au.

“I haven’t seen my wife for a while. She’s at the other end of the house and the kids don’t want to kiss me goodnight.”

Physical distress and appearances aside, what makes Nicks more uncomfortable is that he hasn’t been involved with Movember – a cause that has touched him personally - before this year.

“My best friend’s father - who’s basically my father, because I’d spent more time at their house than mine while growing up - he had prostate cancer and passed away five years ago,” Nicks said.

“This year he challenged a group of us to take the challenge and raise as much money as we could for this cause.’”

Port Adelaide players and staff including Hamish Hartlett, Sam Gray and Riley Bonner have also joined the cause.

“There’s about a dozen of us doing it,” Nicks said.

“Most can grow a decent lip rug but a couple are just pathetic.”

The Movember Foundation is committed to stopping men dying too young through research into prostate and testicular cancers, mental health and other issues affecting men's health.

Nicks is looking forward to losing the soup strainer, but for now he wears it as a badge of honour.

“You certainly can’t miss it,” he said.

“I’ve posted the odd mo shot online and the response is normally laughter and or disgust. I’m happy to take the friendly abuse but would love people to get online and donate so we can help in any way we can."

To donate to Matthew Nicks visit http://mobro.co/matthewnicks