The AFL Players’ Association along with league footballers from MELBOURNEfc, Hawthorn, and the Brisbane Lions have announced their support today for a new charity that raises funds to assist Australia’s youth alcohol and other drugs service sector.
FebFast encourages people to take a break from their alcohol consumption during the shortest month of the year, and at the same time raise funds to help services that support young people with substance abuse problems.
FebFast is being supported by AFL players from the Hawthorn, MELBOURNEfc and Brisbane Lions Clubs, who have signed up to generate sponsorship as they go alcohol free during their preparations for the 2008 Premiership Season.
AFL Players’ Association CEO, Brendon Gale, said “the AFL Players’ Association is pleased to offer its support to the FebFast initiative. We support FebFast’s efforts in helping educate the community and raise awareness towards the responsible use of alcohol.
“The Christmas / New Year period can be a time of overindulgence so the idea of having an alcohol free February is for many an attractive proposition. Individuals undertaking the FebFast challenge will not only help raise money towards assisting young people experiencing problems with substance abuse, they’ll also feel a lot better for the experience.”
MELBOURNEfc’s Russell Robertson said “FebFast encourages us to continue with our current healthy lifestyles and enables us to keep fit and set a positive example by not drinking during the month of February.”
“By sponsoring and supporting the MELBOURNEFCfc players that are participating during the month of February, you will be helping us to reach our goals and raise valuable money and awareness for a worthwhile cause.”
FebFast Founder, Fiona Healy, said the organisation was privileged to have the support from the AFL Players’ Association and its members.
“These young footballers are elite sportsmen, at the peak of health and fitness and with a world of opportunity before them. By contrast, those receiving the benefit of FebFast funding are of a similar age but are struggling with problems associated with substance use and have had limited opportunities to improve their lives.’
“I encourage all MELBOURNEfc fans to show their support for the participating players and donate to FebFast by visiting the individual players’ fundraising pages on our website,” said Ms Healy.
Ms Healy said the FebFast organisers enjoy a drink themselves, but believe that taking time out during the shortest month of the year gives people an opportunity to regain some balance after the excesses of the summer party season.
“We don’t want to put a dampener on special occasions in February, so we have built in a mechanism for those who have plans to attend an event such as a birthday or wedding, where they want to celebrate with alcohol.”
Participants can purchase a $15 date stamped Time Out Certificate from the FebFast website. The Certificate works like a leave pass and entitles the participant to enjoy a few drinks at the occasion without ruining their FebFast commitment. However, they are expected to resume their FebFast participation the next day.
FebFast is being championed by socially responsible organisations that encourage staff participation through their employee wellbeing programs.
Senior executives from the Victoria Police, the Victorian Magistrates Court, The Australian Drug Foundation and the Youth Substance Abuse Service are participating in FebFast and encouraging their employees to participate as well.
Energy Company, AGL and the Victorian Magistrates Court will pay the $25 registration fee for any of their employees who wish to participate in the program.
Victoria Police is also encouraging other organisations in the emergency services sector to champion the cause.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, Kieran Walshe said the issues around alcohol and alcohol related activities were of deep concern to the Police.
“FebFast offers the community an opportunity to take stock, think and reflect on their drinking behaviours, and use the experience to modify their consumption for the longer term,” he said.
The funds generated from FebFast will be distributed to the Australian youth alcohol and other drugs service sector, with the Youth Substance Abuse Service and the Australian Drug Foundation being the major recipients of funding.
More than 200 people have registered to participate in the first year of FebFast. Collectively they have already raised more than $25,000. All donations to FebFast made in Australia over $2 are tax deductible.
Individuals can register their participation at the FebFast website, www.febfast.com.au. To support a player, visit the website and click on the ‘sponsor a friend’ balloon to key in a footballer’s name and search for his fundraising page.
