Like many people, Daniel Diack got 2015 off to a healthy start by giving up alcohol for the month of January.
However, the 24-year-old from Portlethen didn’t just help himself – he also managed to raise more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Now the web assistant at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen has learned the proceeds from his Dryathalon challenge put him in the charity’s top 10% fund-raisers for the whole of the UK.
Mr Diack originally set a sponsorship target of £150, so was thrilled when his total donations topped £1,080.
He said: “I was flabbergasted with the amount raised.
“I had hoped for £150 from a few friends and people from work.
“When I reached £1,000 I was over the moon.
“I’m so proud I’ve been able to raise so much money for charity, the response from my family, friends and colleagues has been incredible.
“January can be a tough month after the festive period and I’m very grateful to everyone who has donated.
“The money is going to a great cause and it will help researchers move closer to finding a cure for cancer.”
The Dryathlon is an annual event set up by Cancer Research UK, which challenges people to last the whole of January without an alcoholic drink.
This year 54,000 “Dryathletes” across the UK took part.
Mr Diack did so in honour of his mother Brenda, who died from a Lymphoma in 2011 at the age of 49.
He said: “I wanted to do something in memory of my mum, who I miss every day. My dad, sister and I have been through such a tough time and I wanted to do something to support Cancer Research UK.
“It’s very important to raise awareness of the work the charity does and I don’t want anyone else to experience what we have been through over the past four years.”
He said his Dryathlon had also brought a range of personal benefits.
“I was out drinking on New Year and stopped before midnight,” he explained.
“I go for runs and after the first few I thought ‘I could do with a beer’, but by cutting out alcohol completely I’ve lost a bit of weight and saved money. I’ve also started running and play football with my friends twice a week.
“I can definitely see and feel the difference and now I’m allowed alcoholic drinks again, I’ll be cutting out the midweek beer while watching the football.”
To donate to Daniel’s Dryathlon Challenge, visit his JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/Dan-dryathlete2015/
