A CLOSE-KNIT group of neighbours have taken on a ‘Dryathlon’ challenge in memory of a much-loved wife, mother and friend.
Nicola Cartwright passed away recently at the age of 52 after a five-year battle with breast cancer and her husband David, son Daniel, and daughter Victoria decided to do something for a good cause in her memory.
“We decided the Dryathlon would be a great way to raise money and improve the health of our loved ones, but we don’t really drink so the challenge would have been much too easy for us,” said Victoria.
“Instead we decided to nominate some of our neighbours who we know like a tipple or two.
“They all jumped at the chance and were happy to help raise money in memory of my mum and support the charity.”
The pair nominated five couples who live on Kenchester Close, Matchborough to take on the month off booze and they have been fund-raising by either getting people to sponsor them or putting money they would have spent on alcohol towards the charity instead.
Victoria, aged 27, added: “Everyone in the road is really close and was always supportive of mum and dad and we are really grateful for their help and dedication to the cause.
“Mum always did whatever she could to try and put some money back into the charities that helped her. She held lots of coffee mornings and and bake sales.”
So far the ‘dry-athletes’ have raised £1,200 for Cancer Research during their hangover-free month and the figure is climbing all the time.
David has planned a special barbecue party for the neighbours this Saturday, so they can celebrate their will-power and fund-raising skills together.
To find out more about Dryathons visit http://tinyurl.com/glmx4cx .
