10, 9, 8, 7… Counting down to FebFast !

10, 9, 8, 7… Counting down to FebFast !

Drug Foundation media release, 30 January 2011

Hundreds of people around the country are counting down to the start of FebFast, the Drug Foundation’s alcohol-free fundraiser for youth charities.

From Tuesday 1 February, they will stop drinking alcohol for a month to give their bodies and wallets a break after the festive season and to raise money for four charities working with young people.

“If they’re like me they’re probably having a few last drinks this weekend,” says FebFast coordinator Catherine Milburn.

“It’s great to see so many people are up for the FebFast challenge, whether it’s to save money, lose weight, do a month-long detox, or give community organisations some much-needed funds.”

FebFast has proven popular in Australia, raising more than $1.7 million in the past few years, but it is the first time the fundraiser has been undertaken in New Zealand.
A number of well-known New Zealanders are endorsing the event, including MPs Jackie Blue and Iain Lees-Galloway, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, chef/food writer Jo Seagar, actor/writer Pinky Agnew, singer Maisey Rika, TV3 journalists Mike McRoberts and Paula Penfold, social media editor Greer McDonald, and The Edge radio hosts Jay-Jay Feeney and Dominic Harvey.

The money raised will go to youth charities Amplify (Auckland), He Taumata Toa/Growing Champions (Wellington), He Haerenga O Wananga/Adventure Therapy (Christchurch), and Whakaata Tohu Tohu /Mirror Counselling Services (Dunedin).
And with less than 48 hours to go before FebFast starts, Ms Milburn says there is still time to sign up.

“Obviously we’re keen to get as many people as possible involved before the start of FebFast but you can still sign up to take part or sponsor someone all through February. Come on, give it a go!”

Visit www.febfast.org.nz for more information about how to register, who the ambassadors are and where the money raised will be going.
FebFast is also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/FebFast-New-Zealand/169814249695781
and onTwitter at http://twitter.com/FebFastNZ
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ENDS