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Sending alcohol on a holiday

08/02/2012

Sending alcohol on a holiday for FebFast

Over twenty staff members from St John of God Subiaco Hospital (SJOGSH) are pressing the pause button on drinking for the month of February as part of the nation wide FebFast initiative - an annual health and charity campaign encouraging people to forgo alcohol for the shortest month of the year. 

The Subiaco team will ‘send grog on holiday’ for 29 days to raise money for numerous community organisations that support young people experiencing problems with alcohol or other drugs.

The Hospital is providing further encouragement to their staff members by paying the registration fees for those who sign up and throwing a FebFast “Mocktail” party for team members and their supporters.

Dr Shane Kelly, the Hospital’s CEO, said this is the second year Subiaco staff members have taken part in FebFast and it is great to see so many people are willing to make such a big personal commitment for the benefit of others.

“Not only will they receive the personal satisfaction of raising money for a very worthy cause, I’m sure they will also enjoy the benefits of what a month without alcohol will do for their health, waistlines and wallets” Dr Kelly said.

St John of God Health Care raised more than $20,000 for FebFast in 2011, and will be a leading participant in FebFast 2012 with 114 caregivers throughout Australia and New Zealand taking part.

Joshua Nipps, SJOGSH’s Social Outreach and Advocacy/Volunteer Coordinator, is taking part and encouraging co-workers, friends and family to support the team members who have signed up for the challenge. 

“The Hospital is already a strong supporter of this cause due to our Social Outreach and Advocacy services which address alcohol and drug issues, and FebFast is a great way for our staff members to do their part in raising awareness of these issues within our community,” Joshua said.

For more information about FebFast or for individuals wanting to join in on the challenge, the event website is http://www.febfast.org.au/.