The following story contains ideas that some readers may find disturbing. Those of you that know me well may want to sit down before you continue reading… Year after year I make New Year Resolutions which I promise myself I’m going to keep (usually at 12.01am on 1st January when I’ve had one alcoholic beverage too many!) and then you can pretty much guarantee that by 5th January those ‘promises’ will be nothing but a distant memory. Therefore this year, I thought if I had some added motivation I may have a chance of actually following through and completing something, and I’m sure you’d all agree that raising money for charity is some pretty nifty motivation! So, brace yourselves… my New Year Resolution for 2013 is to give up alcohol for the entire month of January (GASP!!!!!) I am becoming a Dryathlete, in aid of Cancer Research. In doing so, I have to take the following oath: ‘I promise that I shall take part in Dryathlon™, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern it, committing myself to a month without alcohol, in the true spirit of do-gooding, for the glory of Dryathletes and the honour of Cancer Research UK.’ Cancer Research is a charity very close to my heart, having gone from a few years ago never having known anyone directly affected by cancer, to now having known and lost far too many close family and friends to the awful disease. I therefore thought that a New Year Resolution which raised money for such a good cause, whilst also saving my liver (if I still have one!) was perfect for me! Also, given the pace I’ve been going at recently, a month free of hangovers seems pretty appealing right now! So, from 9am on 1st January 2013 (couldn’t quite commit myself to stop drinking bang on midnight on New Year’s Eve!!) until 12.01am on 1st February 2013, I do solemnly declare that I, Stephanie Alison Heaney (aka Stef Honcho Heaney) will remain sober as a judge. Therefore, instead of buying me a drink over the festive season, why not sponsor me, even if it’s just 50p – every penny counts! I will also be calculating how much I usually spend on alcohol on a monthly basis and donating that to Cancer Research, along with my sponsorship dosh. Should I slip up (although I assure you I won’t as I’m very determined, and not an alcoholic…) I will also throw in an extra £15 to make up for it. So if you really love me, and want to save my liver, please get donating! Thank you all in advance. Merry Christmas and a Happy (sober for me!) New Year! Lots of love Stef xxx