Karan Smith, Monika Spencer and Kerrie Gibbons, from Pinelodge Clinic in Dandenong, are taking part in FebFast. 59818Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Bridget Cook
Workers at Pinelodge Clinic in Dandenong are joining 135 caregivers from across St John of God Health Care to give up alcohol as part of FebFast.
FebFast, now in its fourth year, is a nation-wide annual health and charity campaign encouraging people to forgo alcohol for the shortest month of the year.
Pinelodge workers are hoping to increase awareness of alcohol misuse and to raise money for organisations helping young people reduce their use of alcohol and other drugs.
Last year, St John of God Health Care’s team were the top fundraisers with 90 participants taking part and raising $13,000.
St John of God Health Care was particularly keen to be involved with FebFast because of the organisation’s own provision of social outreach and advocacy services, which address alcohol and drug issues across Australia and New Zealand.
Pinelodge Clinic is a psychiatric, alcohol and drug hospital that helps people “bring their lives back into balance”.
St John of God Health Care Social Outreach and Advocacy Group director Anne Russell-Brown said it was tremendously encouraging that so many caregivers had committed to giving up alcohol for FebFast.
“We welcome any support for our fundraising efforts again this year, but our main objective is to raise awareness of alcohol issues within our communities,” she said.
“It is estimated that nearly half a million Australians consume alcohol at levels considered to be a high risk to health in the long-term. And binge drinking is becoming a worrying trend in young adults and teenagers,” Ms Russell-Brown said.
She said their services reached out to many people who needed help with alcohol and drug use issues and were committed to working with other organisations that address these kinds of problems.
St John of God Health Care has paid registration fees for all caregivers taking part in FebFast, meaning the organisation has already committed $6000 to the charity with further donations expected during the event.
People can still sign up for FebFast at www.febfast.org.au.
