28 January 2011

National Party List MP Dr Jackie Blue is encouraging people to go alcohol-free in February to raise money for four youth charities.

She’s an ambassador for the Drug Foundation’s FebFast fundraiser, in which people stop drinking for all of the month of February to raise money for charities working with at risk young people.

Dr Blue is joining other well-known New Zealanders, such as actor/writer Pinky Agnew, singer/songwriter Maisey Rika, social media journalist Greer McDonald, radio hosts Jay-Jay Feeney and Dominic Harvey, chef/food writer Jo Seagar and TV3 journalists Mike McRoberts and Paula Penfold in the FebFast challenge (www.febfast.org.nz).

FebFast has been running for several years in Australia but this is the first time it has been undertaken in New Zealand. Since 2008 more than 10,700 FebFasters have raised over $1.7 million for Australia’s youth and drug services.
Coordinator Catherine Milburn says FebFast isn't about giving up drinking forever.

"It’s about giving our bodies a short break after the festive season and raising much-needed funds for charities working with young people much less fortunate than ourselves," she says.

Jackie Blue says FebFast won't pose any difficulty for her since she voluntarily gave up drinking more than a year ago.

"Initially I stopped drinking to lose weight which I did in a stunning way. No one tells us about those hidden calories in alcohol ! Once alcohol-free it was a revelation to me how alcohol is so pervasive in our society," she says.

"I don't think I will go back to drinking as I feel better, sleep better and I'm even more productive".

"In my line of work as an MP I attend many functions and alcohol is easily accessible. The alcohol culture is a potential trap. By signing up and abstaining for a month, people will realise they can have a great time without it."

ENDS

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