WHAT IS IT: Sober October is an annual fundraiser encouraging people to go alcohol-free to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
WHEN IS IT: The fundraiser lasts for the whole of October, so you can take part from any time from 1st October to 31st October.
HOW TO TAKE PART: As 2020 has already been quite the challenge, this year, Macmillan is introducing some new options for taking part. You can choose to have a Sober(ish) October by taking on the challenge for 21 or 14 days, or go old school and challenge yourself to take on the full 31 days. No matter how long you choose to go sober, by signing up to the challenge, you’ll be doing something amazing for people with cancer.
WHY DO IT: Macmillan is doing everything it can to provide vital emotional, financial or clinical support for people living with cancer who are going through a challenging time.
All money raised will help to make sure Macmillan can continue being there for the millions of people living with cancer in the UK.
Macmillan is almost entirely funded by donations and anticipates a loss of 35-50% of its fundraising income due to the pandemic. The charity is now calling on the public to help raise vital funds to ensure cancer does not become the Forgotten C in this crisis.
By taking part you aren’t just helping others, you’re helping yourself too. Having a break from alcohol has great health benefits, such as having more energy, a clearer head and sleeping better, plus no hangovers!
WHERE DO DONATIONS GO:
Every penny raised for Go Sober helps to provide vital support to people with cancer, who need it now more than ever. This could include:
£10 – This could help run our vital phone service for cancer patients, and could lead to our welfare rights advisers on our Macmillan Support Line helping people affected by cancer to claim £396 in benefits they are entitled to.
£30 – This could pay for 50 copies of cancer information booklets. These booklets are one of our most popular resources, offering advice and information on sources of support to people affected by cancer, who may experience a wide range of emotions including fear, loneliness, and anger.
£60 – This could pay for a Macmillan Grant that buys a good quality liquidiser for someone who can’t eat solid food as a result of their cancer or treatment.
£100 – This could pay for a Health Professional to attend a specialised conference on approaches to cancer treatment, run by Macmillan.
£150 – This could pay for a Macmillan Grant that buys new clothes for someone experiencing a change in weight or body shape while undergoing cancer treatment, helping them feel better about the way they look.
£200 – This could pay for the training of a person affected by cancer to become a Cancer Support Course facilitator. This is an accredited course which develops participants cancer awareness, communication and counselling skills to better support other people affected by cancer.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Sign up for Sober October at gosober.org.uk or by searching Macmillan Sober October.
Supporters are encouraged to get involved however they can. So, take on the booze-free challenge for 14, 21 or the whole 31 days to help support people living with cancer.
By yourself a Golden Ticket! We know that pubs and bars are having a hard time, so you can still head to the pub and have a sober sip. The Ticket entitles you to a night off from your Go Sober challenge. You can buy one for yourself or sweet talk a mate into getting you one for a minimum £15 donation. For more details on how to get a Golden Ticket and for more top tips visit our website.
