Around 700 people gave up alcohol for February Rainbow Youth is in line for a helpful windfall thanks to its share of more than $100,000 that was raised over the month of February for FebFast. The initiative where participants take a break from alcohol has finished, although the Drug Foundation will continue taking donations right through until the end of March. Rainbow Youth is one of the fundraiser’s four charities for 2012 and will use the money it receives for a drug and alcohol education initiative for queer youth, who are more likely to drink often and heavily, more likely to drink alone, and more likely to have had family or friends tell them to reduce their drinking. About 700 people took part in FebFast this year, including Rainbow Youth Board Secretary Andrew Grear who says the month went better than he expected. “The month has given me a great sense of personal satisfaction in know that I can, when all is said and done, cope quite easily with nothing more than a soft drink in my hand,” he says. “Surprisingly the most difficult times have not been when I'm with other people but when I've been relaxing at home. Normally I might pour myself a glass of wine and so being denied that was more difficult than expected. “While I wouldn't want to do this for too long, I think by next year I'll be more than ready to participate again.” People can still make donations by visiting the FebFast website at www.febfast.org.nz and can also text FebFast to 5338 to make an instant $3 donation.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 2nd March 2012 - 11:37am