I reported in a previous article that I was joining the “Sober For October” fund raiser on Facebook. The idea is to give up alcohol for one month and get doubting friends to sponsor you.
I chose Prostate Cancer UK as my charity as sadly a large number of family and friends have been unfortunate enough to contract the disease. However, a number of friends in Buriram felt that they would rather their donations (if I completed the mission) went to the local hospital.
I am delighted to say that I went the full month without a drop of alcohol touching my lips. After the first week, it wasn’t too difficult and as time went on, there was no way I was going to slip up.
At the end of the month , I managed to raise 200 GBP for Prostate Cancer UK through the justgiving website on Facebook and 4,500 bht for Buriram Government Hospital.
I went to the hospital today but as it was a public holiday, there was hardly a doctor in the place ! However, the accounts department were very helpful and were happy to receive the money and provide me with appropiate documentation re-my donation. I will receive an official letter of thanks in about two weeks.
I indicated that I would like the money to be used in the cancer department as the staff were wonderful with our good friend friend Neil Cameron during his final days last May.
All in all, it was a very satisfying experience. I put my willpower to a severe test, lost weight and raised a significant amount of money for two good causes.
I have to say that my timing wasn’t great. Two weddings and a birthday cropped up in October and Thai weddings are just not the same with orange and soda instead of Leo !
Roll on next year?? Hmmm, we shall see.