Who is doing the Dryathlon?

[Madrid_Fox]

Hi guys,

This year I am doing the Dryathlon in aid of Cancer Research. This means that I am going without alcohol for the whole of January and it will be the first time I have gone a whole month without alcohol for well over a decade.

Cancer has affected all of our families and any kind donations from yourselves will help towards beating this disease andwould be most welcome.

http://www.justgiving.com/dryathlete-thomas-griffiths.

Thanks again.

[SystonFox]

I'm attempting it. Gonna push for the whole of feb too just to see how long I can go!

[Jon the Hat]

Prefer to drink moderately all year. Don't really see not having a drink as an effort worth sponsoring to be honest. It's not exactly doing a marathon is it?

[jonthefox]

Prefer to drink moderately all year. Don't really see not having a drink as an effort worth sponsoring to be honest. It's not exactly doing a marathon is it?

Its just something to raise money and awareness.

A bit like growing a moustache.

[FoxyPV]

I can understand the sentiment but I think January is not the best month to get money from people.

I'm staying off the drink for a while any way after overdoing it a bit over the holiday period.

[indierich06]

I'm doing it. I decided to do it for charity because I could do with a bit of a detox and this'll keep me on the straight and narrow. Plus, if I'm going to do it, I might as well raise some money for a good cause at the same time.

[Guest]

It really is very very easy not to drink alcohol for a month.

[MooseBreath]

I'm going to lay off the hookers and coke until at least mid month. Anyone want to sponsor me?

[Jon the Hat]

It really is very very easy not to drink alcohol for a month.

There is also this factor. I am sure this is for a great cause and so on, but a step to far for me. You are saying I not doing something for a while, can I have some money please. It is not like Movember, becuase it is not visible and hence cannot do nearly as much to raise awareness. This is doing something a lot of people do anyway and calling it charitable activity.

[Guest]

There is also this factor. I am sure this is for a great cause and so on, but a step to far for me. You are saying I not doing something for a while, can I have some money please. It is not like Movember, becuase it is not visible and hence cannot do nearly as much to raise awareness. This is doing something a lot of people do anyway and calling it charitable activity.

would be better to actually go out and help people using our precious time than stopping drinking or washing or shaving etc... and get sponsored for that.

[Captain...]

Never really got Movember, and I can see this one passing me by too, incidentally I am having a detox, I've needed one for a while, been gradually putting on weight and a few niggling rib injuries have really limited my sporting activity last year and before and not drinking alcohol is one of the best ways to cut down on calories, it is also good to give your liver a rest for a while I had a blood test recently and it showed that I had a higher than average enzyme count thing, I can't remember exactly the problem, but basically an overworked liver, the liver is a very tough organ and can regenerate, so any abuse can be undone by taking a month off drinking, or so I've read, so there is certainly a benefit to doing it.

But I'm not going to ask anyone to give money to charity for it, I am doing it purely for me and for my health.

[indierich06]

There is also this factor. I am sure this is for a great cause and so on, but a step to far for me. You are saying I not doing something for a while, can I have some money please. It is not like Movember, becuase it is not visible and hence cannot do nearly as much to raise awareness. This is doing something a lot of people do anyway and calling it charitable activity.

would be better to actually go out and help people using our precious time than stopping drinking or washing or shaving etc... and get sponsored for that.

Seriously, what's the problem? If people are doing something which raises money for charity then what's the issue? Why does it matter what it is? Do I have to jump out of a plane to earn your fiver or something? If you don't think it's 'worthy' of your donation, then you don't have to give. If you think it's 'better' to go down to a homless shelter and help out there, that's fine; you roll your sleeves up and go do it yourself, but don't have a go at people who are doing something positive and raising money for charity at the same time.

It really ****s me off when people have the temerity to have a pop because they don't think a certain charity appeal or campaign is deserving or worthy because it's 'silly' or 'easy' - if me giving up booze for a month raises even £10 for cancer research then it will have been completely worth it.

[Charl91]

Seriously, what's the problem? If people are doing something which raises money for charity then what's the issue? Why does it matter what it is? Do I have to jump out of a plane to earn your fiver or something? If you don't think it's 'worthy' of your donation, then you don't have to give. If you think it's 'better' to go down to a homless shelter and help out there, that's fine; you roll your sleeves up and go do it yourself, but don't have a go at people who are doing something positive and raising money for charity at the same time.

It really ****s me off when people have the temerity to have a pop because they don't think a certain charity appeal or campaign is deserving or worthy because it's 'silly' or 'easy' - if me giving up booze for a month raises even £10 for cancer research then it will have been completely worth it.

In that case, I'm doing a 2013 sponsored breathing. I am going to breathe every single day of every single month for charity. By breathing every day, not only will it will raise awareness for Cancer, as there are many people out there who live under rocks and have never heard of the illness, but it will also improve my general health, as I probably could have done with breathing anyway.

I think the point is for people to sponsor you, they have to think that you're doing something challenging. I believe that the idea is to push yourself, by doing something difficult or something you would normally find uncomfortable, you show that you actually have a dedication to beating a disease/illness, and people donate because they respect the effort you put in. While the money does go towards charity, people are also paying for the effort you putt in. If you're not really doing anything, then it's not really motivation for them to sponsor you - they might as well have donated the money straight to charity, if they felt that way inclined.

It's especially true when it's something that people intended to do anyway. I'm not going to ask for sponsors to go on a diet for a month, when really I'd be doing it because I've eaten chocolates for the past month and need to lose a few pounds. You also say "you don't have to give" - but friends and relatives are often emotionally blackmailed into giving money for sponsors, regardless of what is it. Unless you're a 20-units a day raging alcoholic (in which case I would say it's a worthy challenge), then doing a sponsored alcohol-free month demeans the idea of sponsored events.

I think I did one in November, and that was by accident!

[The People's Hero]

I'm giving up beer for January and February, but not alcohol altogether.

[indierich06]

In that case, I'm doing a 2013 sponsored breathing. I am going to breathe every single day of every single month for charity. By breathing every day, not only will it will raise awareness for Cancer, as there are many people out there who live under rocks and have never heard of the illness!

I think the point is for people to sponsor you, they have to think that you're doing something challenging. I believe that the idea is to push yourself, by doing something difficult or something you would normally find uncomfortable, you show that you actually have a dedication to beating a disease/illness, and people donate because they respect the effort you put in. If you're not really doing anything, then it's not really motivation for them to sponsor you - they might as well donate the money straight to charity.

Jesus, it's just a fun thing to do to raise a bit of money for charity, like Movember. If I climb Everest instead, will you sponsor me a fiver then? Some people might think it's easy to give up booze for a month, or to grow a moustache, but not all of us can go skydiving, or bungee jumping or run marathons. It's stuff like this that lets ordinary people who can't really do the challenging things do something positive for charity and people who sneer and tell them it's not 'hard' enough are just snobs IMO - if I raise £100 for charity, it doesn't matter if I did it by running a half marathon or by letting my top lip get a bit hairy for a month, all that matters is that I made the effort to do something and to go out and get the donations.

Like I said, if it's not 'worthy' or 'difficult' enough for you, you don't have to donate - there are plenty of other people who will.

[Charl91]

Jesus, it's just a fun thing to do to raise a bit of money for charity, like Movember. If I climb Everest instead, will you sponsor me a fiver then?

Yes.

some people might think it's easy to give up booze for a month, or to grow a moustache, but not all of us can go skydiving, or bungee jumping or run marathons. It's stuff like this that lets ordinary people who can't really do the challenging things do something positive for charity and people who sneer and tell them it's not 'hard' enough are just snobs IMO - if I raise £100 for charity, it doesn't matter if I did it by running a half marathon or by letting my top lip get a bit hairy for a month, all that matters is that I made the effort to do something and to go out and get the donations.

Like I said, if it's not 'worthy' or 'difficult' enough for you, you don't have to donate - there are plenty of other people who will.

To do something "challenging" it doesn't have to be expensive or a physical activity. There are many things you can do if you're inventive. You could go without speaking for a week. You could wear a onesie to work for a fortnight. Hell, you could even get your chest waxed for charity

But a lot of people are going to want you to put effort in, if you want their money.

[indierich06]

Yes.

To do something "challenging" it doesn't have to be expensive or a physical activity. There are many things you can do if you're inventive. You could go without speaking for a week. You could wear a onesie to work for a fortnight. Hell, you could even get your chest waxed for charity

But a lot of people are going to want you to put effort in, if you want their money.

So why is it more 'challenging' for me to get my chest waxed or wear a onesie than to give up drinking for a month? Does it have to be something painful or humilating to earn a donation then?

Once again - I don't particularly care if any of you lot don't want to donate, or if you don't think it's a challenging or worthy enough thing to sponsor. Bottom line is it's something positive - if I raise even a few quid for Cancer Research while doing something healthy for myself too, then it'll be worth it. If people don't want to donate, that's fine, but there's no need to sneer and tell me that what I'm doing isn't good enough in your eyes. It's unnecessarily negative and mean-spirited. The phrase 'if you've got nothing nice to say...' springs to mind.

[Captain...]

Jesus, it's just a fun thing to do to raise a bit of money for charity, like Movember. If I climb Everest instead, will you sponsor me a fiver then? Some people might think it's easy to give up booze for a month, or to grow a moustache, but not all of us can go skydiving, or bungee jumping or run marathons. It's stuff like this that lets ordinary people who can't really do the challenging things do something positive for charity and people who sneer and tell them it's not 'hard' enough are just snobs IMO - if I raise £100 for charity, it doesn't matter if I did it by running a half marathon or by letting my top lip get a bit hairy for a month, all that matters is that I made the effort to do something and to go out and get the donations.

Like I said, if it's not 'worthy' or 'difficult' enough for you, you don't have to donate - there are plenty of other people who will.

Just a thought, but if you want to help charities so much, why don't you give them some money instead of asking other people, how about every penny you would have spent on booze in January, you instead give that to charity. I don't know your drinking habits but I'm sure you spend over £100 a month on booze.

[Guest]

Seriously, what's the problem? If people are doing something which raises money for charity then what's the issue? Why does it matter what it is? Do I have to jump out of a plane to earn your fiver or something? If you don't think it's 'worthy' of your donation, then you don't have to give. If you think it's 'better' to go down to a homless shelter and help out there, that's fine; you roll your sleeves up and go do it yourself, but don't have a go at people who are doing something positive and raising money for charity at the same time.

It really ****s me off when people have the temerity to have a pop because they don't think a certain charity appeal or campaign is deserving or worthy because it's 'silly' or 'easy' - if me giving up booze for a month raises even £10 for cancer research then it will have been completely worth it.

As stated previously in another thread I wouldn't give you a fiver for jumping out of a plane either. Why should I give you money because you're doing something for fun. I give my money directly to the people and agencies that I want to give it too.

It really pisses me off when assholes think I should give them money for doing something they choose to do. If you want to give money to a "good cause" then do it but don't ask me.

Will you give me money to give to charity for each post I make on this board during 2013?

[Charl91]

So why is it more 'challenging' for me to get my chest waxed or wear a onesie than to give up drinking for a month? Does it have to be something painful or humilating to earn a donation then?

Because YOU'RE not really sacrificing anything, especially if you were planning on doing it anyway! You're asking people to give up THEIR money, but what are you really doing?

Like Cap' said, if you gave the money you would have spent on alcohol to charity, then fair enough. But to me, it seems like you're asking people to give money for you to have a detox.

As stated previously in another thread I wouldn't give you a fiver for jumping out of a plane either. Why should I give you money because you're doing something for fun. I give my money directly to the people and agencies that I want to give it too.

This. Lots of people use giving to charity as an excuse to do something they just want to do. It's even worse if they use some of the charity money to fund it!

[Guest]

Just a thought, but if you want to help charities so much, why don't you give them some money instead of asking other people, how about every penny you would have spent on booze in January, you instead give that to charity. I don't know your drinking habits but I'm sure you spend over £100 a month on booze.

Exactly.

[indierich06]

Just a thought, but if you want to help charities so much, why don't you give them some money instead of asking other people, how about every penny you would have spent on booze in January, you instead give that to charity. I don't know your drinking habits but I'm sure you spend over £100 a month on booze.

Right, first of all - I'm not the one who started this thread. I haven't come on here asking you lot to sponsor me, I'm just reacting to the needless negativity being poured on somebody who is essentially doing something for charity - whether or not you think that charitable act is worthy of your money or not.

Second of all, you know absolutely nothing about what I do for charity - I have about 6 or 7 regular standing orders and I do free pro-bono work for an autism charity and I've done several other things to raise money for charity in the past. I've done half marathons, but I do stuff like Movember and the Dryathlon because it's fun, a bit unusual and a bit of a challenge, yet from how I'm being treated on here you'd think I'd pissed on your cornflakes and stood there with my hand out begging for money.

Thirdly, I'm actually adding what I would have spent on alcohol to my final total - it won't be as much as normal months because January is a bit of a tight month, but I'll be putting my own money in regardless. So please think before you make sweeping statments about what I should do without knowing anything about me.

As stated previously in another thread I wouldn't give you a fiver for jumping out of a plane either. Why should I give you money because you're doing something for fun. I give my money directly to the people and agencies that I want to give it too.

It really pisses me off when assholes think I should give them money for doing something they choose to do. If you want to give money to a "good cause" then do it but don't ask me.

Will you give me money to give to charity for each post I make on this board during 2013?

Fine. But I didn't ****ing ask you for any money.

If you don't want to sponsor someone then it's simple - DON'T DO IT. There's no need to heap scorn and abuse on someone for doing something positive.

Would I give money to charity for every post you make on this board during 2013? Of course I ****ing wouldn't, but what I wouldn't do is write a load of posts slagging you off for asking.

Because YOU'RE not really sacrificing anything, especially if you were planning on doing it anyway! You're asking people to give up THEIR money, but what are you really doing?

Like Cap' said, if you gave the money you would have spent on alcohol to charity, then fair enough. But to me, it seems like you're asking people to give money for you to have a detox.

This. Lots of people use giving to charity as an excuse to do something they just want to do. It's even worse if they use some of the charity money to fund it!

As I said earlier, I'm donating what I would have spent during the month to my final total. Again, I've not asked anyone on this message board to sponsor me at all - I don't go around asking random people for donations - I've got enough family and friends and customers sponsoring me to meet my target for the month, but even if I did post on here asking for sponsors - so what? For the billionth time, if you don't want to sponsor me, you don't have to. If I made a thread asking for donations, I wouldn't really care if I got no responses at all, but I don't expect snidey little posts belittling someone who's doing something for charity, whether it's giving up drinking, growing a moustache or jumping out of an plane.

Jesus Christ, Foxes Talk must be one of the only places you can get browbeaten for doing something for charity. **** off, the lot of you.

[Guest]

Would I give money to charity for every post you make on this board during 2013?

But why not? it's for a good cause. You mean, old poster you.

[Captain...]

Right, first of all - I'm not the one who started this thread. I haven't come on here asking you lot to sponsor me, I'm just reacting to the needless negativity being poured on somebody who is essentially doing something for charity - whether or not you think that charitable act is worthy of your money or not.

Second of all, you know absolutely nothing about what I do for charity - I have about 6 or 7 regular standing orders and I do free pro-bono work for an autism charity and I've done several other things to raise money for charity in the past. I've done half marathons, but I do stuff like Movember and the Dryathlon because it's fun, a bit unusual and a bit of a challenge, yet from how I'm being treated on here you'd think I'd pissed on your cornflakes and stood there with my hand out begging for money.

Thirdly, I'm actually adding what I would have spent on alcohol to my final total - it won't be as much as normal months because January is a bit of a tight month, but I'll be putting my own money in regardless. So please think before you make sweeping statments about what I should do without knowing anything about me.

It was more in a general response to the "Dryathlon" rather than you personally, but I responded to you as you were championing it, I think if the OP had posted on here raising awareness of dryathlon, I didn't know it existed, without asking for money, he would have got a much better response, but with the internet and Facebook and twitter, many people feel like they get bombarded with often trivial requests for sponsorship on an almost daily basis, add to that the paid chuggers that hunt in packs and repeatedly accost you in the street, then you have Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Children in need and every other bugger asking for your money, people just get fed up with it.

I'm glad you give plenty of money to charity, and it is good that you are donating the money you would have spent on alcohol to charity, but I think this should be the bigger aim of "Dryathlon" rather than asking people to sponsor you.

I can also see that doing this as part of Dryathlon will give you more motivation to complete it, although I don't agree with being able to buy a golden pass to allow you a guilt free night on the piss.

[indierich06]

It was more in a general response to the "Dryathlon" rather than you personally, but I responded to you as you were championing it, I think if the OP had posted on here raising awareness of dryathlon, I didn't know it existed, without asking for money, he would have got a much better response, but with the internet and Facebook and twitter, many people feel like they get bombarded with often trivial requests for sponsorship on an almost daily basis, add to that the paid chuggers that hunt in packs and repeatedly accost you in the street, then you have Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Children in need and every other bugger asking for your money, people just get fed up with it.

I'm glad you give plenty of money to charity, and it is good that you are donating the money you would have spent on alcohol to charity, but I think this should be the bigger aim of "Dryathlon" rather than asking people to sponsor you.

I can also see that doing this as part of Dryathlon will give you more motivation to complete it, although I don't agree with being able to buy a golden pass to allow you a guilt free night on the piss.

Yeah, I don't like that either. If you're going to do something, do it properly.

I probably got a bit worked up to be honest - I usually have a few bets with my mates about who'll last the longest during the customary January detox and none of them think I'll last the month, but I thought I'd give this a try this year - my friends and family have all agreed to donate, but only if I complete it. Like you say as well, knowing that you're doing it for charity probably helps with sticking to it. So I get a detox that I can stick to (finally...), I get to raise a bit of money for charity, chuck in a bit myself and do something healthy for the month too. Everyone's a winner.