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So what started all this...?

Well before I read a book called Memoirs of a Fruitcake (Chris Evans' second book) I had just been contemplating doing the one month off drinking challenge...(this usually takes place in January, nicely timed after the indulgence of Christmas and New Year). A friend last year completed this now ubiquitous 'dry month challenge' and managed to raise almost £500 in sponsorship! This inspired me, although I felt I wanted to do more. This is where the book created the catalyst as near the ending of the book Chris writes about the top ten things he still wants to do...of which one of them was 'Go a year without a single alcoholic drink'...this was the trigger.

I'm 43 years old and whilst I have a good relationship with alcohol I wanted to prove something to myself, inspire my wife and daughter and improve my overall well-being. At the same time I wanted to do something for the greater good...this is why every penny I raise will go to The Samaritans. Why? Simple for me really,this is in memory of my brother whom we lost April 1994 when he had just turned 26 years old. My brother had his own challenges and whilst I will never know whether he reached out to speak to someone at the Samaritans, it gives me great comfort knowing that an organisation is out there, day and night, ready to listen to those who really need guidance and support.

Now that the challenge was clear in my head I then told my wife the plan...my wife's reply was brutally honest"no one is going to sponsor you just for giving up alcohol for a year" she then added "that is not much of a challenge...what you need to do is add some REAL challenges if you want anyone to sponsor you".

So here they are; run the 2016 London marathon; complete Rat Race's Dirty Weekend challenge - which involves running 20 miles and completing 200 obstacles en route and finally cycle the coast to coast...in one day! Oh, and lets us not forget...go a whole year without drinking a single alcoholic drink.

The year clock will start ticking from 8th January 2016...

If you have read this far and I still have your attention then I have a request...please will you do something amazing today by giving...as little or as much as you can. I may have set myself an unbelievable target of £5,000 but even if you gave as little as £1...it is £1 closer to my goal and I guarantee it will make you feel great knowing you have helped a friend, a work colleague, an ex-work colleague, a friend of a friend, old classmate whatever your connection to me, remember it is for a greater cause...thank you.

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