Chris Bethell
Chris' Dry January
Fundraising for Alzheimer's Society
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
As the fog of another hangover slowly lifted and the New Year began, it occurred to me that this was the perfect time to face up to my demons whilst also raising a little money for a cause dear to my family.
Like many, I enjoy a drink. Wine, beer, whisky, port...I enjoy them all, not at the same time of course, but nevertheless, I can often find an excuse to have 'one or two'.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not drinking to excess every day, I'm not addicted or yearning for my next fix. But the habit has formed and although 'Dry January' may sound to you like a simple thing to do, I suspect it might not be so easy. In fact, already my family and certain friends are betting on me failing the challenge before the first weekend is over!
I have no intention of being sanctimonious, sounding self indulgent or suggesting that you should do the same. This is just a small personal sacrifice to improve my health and aid the Alzheimer's Society.
I specifically chose the Alzheimer's Society as a result of my own experience of the illness. Both my grandfather and now my father in law had, and are suffering with it.
I spent many hours watching my grandfather's decline, being witness initially to his moments of confusion and then his realisation that 'something wasn't right' in his head. I saw the early signs; confusion when dressing, wandering from the house, repeating himself and then the 'anger stage'; shouting, swearing and being violent towards my grandmother: so unlike the funny, clever and entertaining grandfather we knew.
My grandfather enjoyed a pint and I took him for his last one at a time when he was unable to make conversation or do much without help. He asked for a half. He'd never previously done that before but it was all he wanted. That was over twenty years ago.
My father in law is now in the early stages of the disease and the heartache my grandmother went through is now apparent in the eyes of my mother in law.
It's such a cruel illness, often robbing people of the quality time they should be enjoying after their retirement, but indiscriminate enough to attack those much younger too. The impact it has, not only on the victim, but those closest to them, is simply awful to observe.
Abstaining from alcohol for a month may seem trivial or an easy challenge to do for some, but for me it's breaking a habit which I enjoyed. Somehow, turning my back on the beer seemed to tie in with my grandfather and our last pint together.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Donations can also be made by text, sending the message "CJBX70 (amount)" to 70070.
Thank you for reading this far. I know there are many good causes and that you may already have recently donated to others. Don't worry, I won't be offended if you choose not to donate. I shall take strength and encouragement from whatever witticism or sarcastic comment you wish to send me instead. On your behalf, at the end of the month, I will donate that which I don't spend on drink!
Cheers!
As the fog of another hangover slowly lifted and the New Year began, it occurred to me that this was the perfect time to face up to my demons whilst also raising a little money for a cause dear to my family.
Like many, I enjoy a drink. Wine, beer, whisky, port...I enjoy them all, not at the same time of course, but nevertheless, I can often find an excuse to have 'one or two'.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not drinking to excess every day, I'm not addicted or yearning for my next fix. But the habit has formed and although 'Dry January' may sound to you like a simple thing to do, I suspect it might not be so easy. In fact, already my family and certain friends are betting on me failing the challenge before the first weekend is over!
I have no intention of being sanctimonious, sounding self indulgent or suggesting that you should do the same. This is just a small personal sacrifice to improve my health and aid the Alzheimer's Society.
I specifically chose the Alzheimer's Society as a result of my own experience of the illness. Both my grandfather and now my father in law had, and are suffering with it.
I spent many hours watching my grandfather's decline, being witness initially to his moments of confusion and then his realisation that 'something wasn't right' in his head. I saw the early signs; confusion when dressing, wandering from the house, repeating himself and then the 'anger stage'; shouting, swearing and being violent towards my grandmother: so unlike the funny, clever and entertaining grandfather we knew.
My grandfather enjoyed a pint and I took him for his last one at a time when he was unable to make conversation or do much without help. He asked for a half. He'd never previously done that before but it was all he wanted. That was over twenty years ago.
My father in law is now in the early stages of the disease and the heartache my grandmother went through is now apparent in the eyes of my mother in law.
It's such a cruel illness, often robbing people of the quality time they should be enjoying after their retirement, but indiscriminate enough to attack those much younger too. The impact it has, not only on the victim, but those closest to them, is simply awful to observe.
Abstaining from alcohol for a month may seem trivial or an easy challenge to do for some, but for me it's breaking a habit which I enjoyed. Somehow, turning my back on the beer seemed to tie in with my grandfather and our last pint together.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Donations can also be made by text, sending the message "CJBX70 (amount)" to 70070.
Thank you for reading this far. I know there are many good causes and that you may already have recently donated to others. Don't worry, I won't be offended if you choose not to donate. I shall take strength and encouragement from whatever witticism or sarcastic comment you wish to send me instead. On your behalf, at the end of the month, I will donate that which I don't spend on drink!
Cheers!