Strong-willed Sheffield man gives up the booze for dog charity

Dog-lover Nick White, aged 43, from High Storrs, had hoped to raise £500 but by the end of his One Year No Beer challenge had smashed his target and raised £1,500.

Not a heavy drinker, but someone who enjoyed a few drinks at social occasions, Nick said that thinking of his charity of choice during the long, dry 12-month spell gave him plenty of motivation.

He said: “I have a black Labrador Sam, and love him to bits. In his own way he supported me when I was going through a mild depression, and just having him around and having to walk him helped. A dog really lifts your mood I think.

“Dogs are so loving, and don’t ask for anything back.

“I heard Support Dogs’ client Amanda Davidson speak, met and chatted to her and she was inspirational.

“Then I found out about Support Dogs being based in Sheffield but helping people all around the country. Finding out how these animals can be trained and use theirskills was fantastic.”

Nick decided to start his booze-free year just before Christmas 2016. His usual tipples of real ale and malt whisky were replaced by soft drinks and non-alcoholic beers.

There were a few challenging times for Nick throughout his challenge, such as his wife Rachel’s 40 birthday, but he said he now feels much better for cutting the booze.

He said: “It’s changed my attitude to drinking. I never want to get to the point when I wake up in the morning feeling rough.

“It’s good to wake up and feel fine. I go running and enjoyed not losing out because of drinking the night before.

“To celebrate the end of the challenge I arranged to go out with a few friends, but I just had a couple of pints and stuck to that.

“And I enjoyed Christmas last year. I’m just very grateful to everyone who donated and supported me during my 12 dry months.”

Visit supportdogs.org.uk.