Dry for 69

MASSIVE ASSUMPTION INCOMING.... The alcohol intake of the UK has soared since lockdown started. I am clearly judging everyone by the standard of myself, and a number of my friends...

But this massive generalisation got us thinking - what can we do to reverse the trend a little, get a bit healthier, introduce some much needed competition and do something for some amazing causes at the same time.

Over the course of the morning, Simon Gillibrand and myself discussed the parameters for the challenge ahead, and the penalties / scoring system. We recruited a couple of willing volunteers, and finalised the plans. So, here goes;

1. For 69 days starting today we will abstain from alcohol. This means our challenge ends on July 4th (US independence day - so we can all have a drink and sing Katy Perry - Firework, à la The Interview youtube.com/watch?v=Wid7S3ttK9w ).

2. Each participant donates £1 per day that we do not drink any alcohol.

3. If there are any slip ups, each participant is to donate £30 for each day slipped up on (that may mean £60 if drinking starts one evening and carries on past midnight).

4. Each day successfully navigated counts as a win, and the participant is awarded 3 points. Each day where alcohol is consumed counts as a loss, and 0 points are awarded.

5. If any participant gets to the end of the 69 days without any Steven Gerrard's (slipping up, for those none football fans), then as a celebration of having saved a significant amount of money, the participant in question is required to chuck an extra £31 to the pot. Meaning everyone involved will have a minimum of £100 in their respective pot, at which point we donate the kitty to charities.

6. Our money will be split evenly between the below charities;

Refuge - through Clare's Just Giving page here - justgiving.com/fundraising/clarevlm

Andy's Man Club - through this page

The Trussell Trust - through this page

Make-A-Wish through Laura's Just Giving page here - justgiving.com/fundraising/laurart

If you want to support us along our journey - please either use this page, or the links provided above to Refuge and Make-A-Wish.

7. Whoever finishes bottom of the league table (records the most L's), and has the highest pot of money, as a double whammy, will be liable to buying the rest of the participants £10 worth of beer each.

We all appreciate there are a number of people who are facing financial hardship at the moment given the ongoing situation with Covid-19. As such if anyone at all would like to participate in the challenge purely for health reasons, or to try and raise money for a charity of their choosing without following the above penalty charge structure, then please comment below and let us know! We will include you in our weekly updates and the scoreboards.