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Health charities encourage drinkers to abstain from alcohol in January Health charities encourage drinkers to abstain from alcohol in January
(35 minutes later)
As party-goers prepare to nurse their new year hangovers, health charities are urging people to consider staying off alcohol for the rest of the month. As partygoers prepare to nurse their new year hangovers, health charities are urging people to consider staying off alcohol for the rest of the month.
Alcohol Concern and Cancer Research UK are running fundraising campaigns in which participants are sponsored for abstaining from drink throughout January.Alcohol Concern and Cancer Research UK are running fundraising campaigns in which participants are sponsored for abstaining from drink throughout January.
Alcohol Concern's Dry January 2014 encourages people to avoid alcohol for 31 days and aims to "get people talking and thinking about their drinking".Alcohol Concern's Dry January 2014 encourages people to avoid alcohol for 31 days and aims to "get people talking and thinking about their drinking".
People who take part could "lose weight, feel better, save money and make a difference", the charity said. People who take part could "lose weight, feel better, save money and make a difference", the charity said. A spokeswoman said thousands have already signed up to the challenge.
A spokeswoman said thousands have already signed up to the challenge.
She said the campaign is aimed at social drinkers whose alcohol consumption may have "crept up on them".She said the campaign is aimed at social drinkers whose alcohol consumption may have "crept up on them".
Emily Robinson, director of campaigns at Alcohol Concern, said: "Many of us think the way we drink isn't a problem, but even having just a few beers after work or a few glasses of wine at home too often can take you over safe limits and store up problems for the future.Emily Robinson, director of campaigns at Alcohol Concern, said: "Many of us think the way we drink isn't a problem, but even having just a few beers after work or a few glasses of wine at home too often can take you over safe limits and store up problems for the future.
"We're challenging people to take part in Dry January and try giving up booze for 31 days, and if it sounds like a big ask you're exactly the person we want to join us and have a go."We're challenging people to take part in Dry January and try giving up booze for 31 days, and if it sounds like a big ask you're exactly the person we want to join us and have a go.
"It's not about never drinking again, it's just the perfect opportunity for all of us to take a breather and get thinking about our drinking." "It's not about never drinking again, it's just the perfect opportunity for all of us to take a breather and get thinking about our drinking. We think people will feel better, sleep better, save money and they may also lose weight.
She added: "We think people will feel better, sleep better, save money and they may also lose weight.
Cancer Research UK's campaign, Dryathlon, is encouraging participants to become "dryathletes" by staying off booze for 31 days while receiving sponsorship from friends and family members.Cancer Research UK's campaign, Dryathlon, is encouraging participants to become "dryathletes" by staying off booze for 31 days while receiving sponsorship from friends and family members.
The 2013 Dryathlon campaign saw 35,000 dryathletes raise more than £4m for the charity.The 2013 Dryathlon campaign saw 35,000 dryathletes raise more than £4m for the charity.
Anthony Newman, director of marketing at Cancer Research UK, said: "We know giving up alcohol and taking part in Dryathlon will really test some people's willpower, but we also know it's something lots of people already do successfully.Anthony Newman, director of marketing at Cancer Research UK, said: "We know giving up alcohol and taking part in Dryathlon will really test some people's willpower, but we also know it's something lots of people already do successfully.
"So, whether you're already planning to give up alcohol for January or looking to take on an extra challenge in the new year, why not sign up to Dryathlon and swap your lager for a latte, safe in the knowledge that the money you raise will be helping us to beat cancer sooner.""So, whether you're already planning to give up alcohol for January or looking to take on an extra challenge in the new year, why not sign up to Dryathlon and swap your lager for a latte, safe in the knowledge that the money you raise will be helping us to beat cancer sooner."
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