A month without drinking alcohol starts tomorrow

31 January 2012

A month without drinking alcohol starts tomorrow

Today is the last chance for many New Zealanders to have a glass of beer or wine for the next month.

People taking part in this year’s FebFast fundraiser by the New Zealand Drug Foundation will start a month without alcohol from tomorrow, the first of February.

FebFast Coordinator Catherine Milburn says people from all around New Zealand have signed up to take part in FebFast.

“We’re delighted that people are showing their support for FebFast,” she says. “This is a great event to be involved with and we know from past experience that participants get a lot out of FebFast. Some people tell us they lost a bit of weight, they felt alert, or they saved money, and so on.

“February is the shortest month of the year, even with Leap Year this time round, and it’s a good opportunity to press pause on our drinking so we can think about what we want for the year ahead.”

Last year’s FebFast raised more than $100,000 for four youth charities working with young people affected by drugs or alcohol.

The four charities receiving funds this year include Evolve, a free service for young people in Wellington; the ADHD Association, which also provides substance abuse support; Rainbow Youth in Auckland; and CareNZ in Waikato, which provides addiction services.

Details on how to register are available at www.febfast.org.nz.

A number of high profile ambassadors are supporting this year’s FebFast, including award winning singer/songwriter Maisey Rika, professional rugby player Scott Waldrom, Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup, comedian Guy Williams, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, performer/writer and celebrant Pinky Agnew, ZM radio host Polly Gillespie, The Edge radio hosts Jay-Jay Feeney and Dominic Harvey, Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei, National MP Jackie Blue, and Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway.

ENDS

To register for FebFast or to find out more visit www.febfast.org.nz or contact FebFast