*CHECK OUT THE NEW MONTHLY UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM*

MATT & LAURA DO 2008 SOBER!

As some of you will most certainly know, we are both partial to the odd drink or ten. As a challenge, and to raise money for charity we decided (we were drunk at the time) that we would attempt to conquer the whole of 2008 without touching a single drop of alcohol, not a drop folks!!!!!!!

What's worse, is that this year is a leap year, so we technically got slightly scammed with 366 days instead of the usual 365. 'If your'e gonna do it, do it the hard way'.

So.........

All money donated will be sent to St Anne's hospice, a charity that Matt's late Nan was close to, and spent the last few days of her life in. As a fitting tribute, our livers will face the next annum completely alcohol free (Mouthwash excluded).

Please give generously to this great cause, and next time you pick up a beer, think of us!

Our last drinks were a toast to celebrate the New Year 2007/8, consumed at midnight (British time, we were in Bulgaria) & our next drink will be at midnight 2008/9 when we plan to visit Sydney for New Year!

THANKYOU VERY MUCH GUYS!

Monthly Updates (New)

January -

Our first month of alcohol free-ness, a karaoke evening in Manchester was the hardest non drinking day so far, as neither of us can sing at the best of times. 1 month down, just 11 to go...... January sponsors: Matt / Rob & Josie / Ann & Keith / Grandad Woods / Dan & Tash / Nana & Grandad Peacock / Sam Allen / Adam Taylforth & Derek Eades. Thankyou all so much for getting us off to a good start.

February -

We have just completed month 2 of 12, the hardest part of Feb was to see our friends off to Australia sober whilst all around us became increasingly intoxicated, that was one tough evening. We introduced ourselves to alcohol-free Becks, which surprisingly soothed the cravings. Just 10 more months...... February Sponsors: Nana & Grandad Peacock / Will Frost / Ste Woods / Laura Smith / John & Anne Forster / The Dragon / Laura / Steve Jones. Thankyou all for your kind sponsorship and we hope to add many more names to the list next month, thankyou guys!

March -

Guys, March was a great month for raising money for the cause, the biggest so far, thankyou for the contributions. We got through March without too many drama's. Probably the easiest so far, a night in Portsmouth with friends was quite a difficult night, but we are still hanging in there. we are 1/4 of the way there now. If it was'nt for such a good cause then I think we both could of quite easily caved in by now, but we remain persistent and look forward to an ice cold beer in 9 months. March sponsors: Nana & Grandad Peacock / Verity Abram / Bainzy / Belinda Taylforth / Christian Morrissy / Claire Peacock. A big thankyou to all our friends & family who sponsored us, we will buy you a beer next year for your support!

April -

Month 4 of 12 complete! Not a very difficult month in April, seeing others suffer with the aftermath of a big night out makes it that little bit easier. Not a very good month for fundraising, many have promised to sponsor at the half way stage, so we are expecting June to be a big month! Keep the sponsors coming in guys, pass on to anyone that knows us and help us to reach the target! April sponsors: Nana & Grandad Peacock, Jeroen Schurink, Vicky Lewis - Thankyou for your support!

May -

This month has not been an easy one with Laura finishing uni and us moving out of the flat. Celebrations without a tipple or two have been a challenge, but we are moving quickly towards the halfway mark! Only 2 sponsors this month, please help us reach our target and give a small donation. May sponsors: Danny Kendal and Nana and Grandad Peacock - Thankyou guys!

June -

So..... June is now complete and we have officially past the half way mark. Slowly but surely getting there and it is all downhill from here. Matt attended a football tournament with lots of old Navy friends in Shrewsbury which was extremely painful without alcohol & Laura celebrated finishing Uni in our typical style (Diet Coke!!!) We raised some good sponsorship in June and long may it continue. Just 6 more months remain of this challenge! June sponsors: Nana & Grandad Peacock / Janet & John Kendal / Ryan & Emma / Ben Porter / Sam & Pete Scott / Kelly Cleeve / James & Debbie Seaton. Thankyou so much for the continued support!

July -

Our last whole month in the country before we set off on our big tour. We've had afew parties this month and watched others get merry whilst we practice our sober dance moves! We have passed the halfway point and are on the home straight, it's not easy though! An ice cold beer sitting outside in the hot weather we've had recently is more than slightly tempting! Only another 5 months to go! A big thankyou to this months sponsors: Rachel and Ben Cliffe / Nana & Grandad Peacock.

August -

August has been an action packed month. We had Laura´s sober birthday and then a whistle stop tour of the country to say goodbye to all our friends and family before the big adventure. We arrived in Rio on the 24th, the sun has been shining and a nice cold beer has been very appealing, still only 4 months to go! We are getting very excited about new year in Sydney. Massive thankyou to this months sponsors: Jess and Dave / Nana and Grandad Peacock.

September -

Our first full month of travelling was slightly difficult with the realisation of the challenge whilst travellig. Others around us indulged in local flavours, namely Pisco sours and local beers. Brazil & Bolivia offered ale for as little as 40p a beer, but the challenge remains in full swing. Only 3 more months untl the next hangover in Sydney! We are closing the target now, please help us to complete the final few months with your generosity. Thankyou to this months sponsors; Nan & GP / Tex & Jo Marshall.

October-

October was getting hard towards the end, mainly as we are getting closer to the end now. South America offers some real cheap ale and we were unable to take them up on this offer! Only 2 months to go. Thankyou v much to Maureen & Glen for their continued contributions!

November-

Well we entered Chile and New Zealand in November, 2 of the worlds most famous wine regions. You would be surprised at the amount of free wine we were offered by fellow travellers, all turned down as we stick firmly to the challenge! Counting down the days now, not the months. Only Glen & Maureen for the sponsorship chart this month, we are so close to the target now and need all the support we can for the final 31 days!

Please feel free to contact us at mattywoods2002@yahoo.co.uk or lauramex27@hotmail.co.uk

THE BORING STUFF:
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