Councillor Gough Swallows FebFast Challenge

The final remaining days of January will be Christchurch City Councillor Jamie Gough’s last taste of alcohol until 1 March.

Jamie Gough, Christchurch’s youngest councillor (27), has been named one of the 12 Ambassadors for FebFast, an annual charity event where participants give up alcohol for the month of February to raise money for the New Zealand Drug and Alcohol Foundation.

Last year saw over 600 people register to take up the FebFast challenge. Over $100,000 was raised in 2012 and went towards supporting youth alcohol and other drug services across New Zealand.

Gough said that after the hellish couple of years we’ve been through in Christchurch having a drink can often be a way people choose to relax.

“FebFast provides a good opportunity to take check of the drinking and find some other ways to de-stress.”

“We base a lot of the Kiwi lifestyle around having a drink, particularly over the festive season, so I’m hoping it will have a positive effect on my wallet, body and mind, while also supporting a worthwhile cause along the way.”

Gough is no stranger to taking on a battle for charity. In December 2011 he climbed into the boxing ring to take part in the ‘Fight for Christchurch’. He raised over $10,000 for the Canterbury Earthquake Children’s Trust, a local charity set up to support the 66 children who lost parents in the Canterbury earthquake.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the boxing fight but in terms of accepting a challenge in the name of charity, I’d imagine this one will be better for my personal health.”

Gough said it was not about giving up alcohol forever but “pressing pause” to support a worthy cause.

“I certainly enjoy a drink, but for the next month I’m looking forward to those downtime cold ones to be of the non-alcoholic variety.”

Jamie Gough will be keeping a diary of his FebFast challenge at www.facebook.com/JamieGoughPage or to donate or find out more about FebFast visit www.febfast.org.nz.

© Scoop Media