Ban the booze for FebFast and help young Australians

When she was in high school, Carrie* started drinking alcohol every day to feel "happy and numb".

Then, after receiving disappointing Year 12 results three years ago, her life "spiralled out of control" and alcohol began to take control.

"I was a bit suicidal, a bit hopeless and my future was going nowhere," she said. "Mentally, I was in a really bad place and I couldn't dig myself out of it. I was hurting my family really badly."

After receiving counselling, she stayed at the Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) in Perth for three weeks.

This program, which is a partnership between Mission Australia and Next Step, provides young people with drug and alcohol issues and their families with a comprehensive range of support services.

"The first week was terrible," Carrie recalled. "But I didn't want to leave because I'd put so much effort and planning into coming (to DAYS) and my family was so proud. I didn't want to let anyone down, least of all myself.”

Carrie is now studying writing at university while working at a pharmacy. She credits DAYS with helping save her life and is participating in FebFast to raise money for the centre.

"DAYS changed my life so much," Carrie said. "I don't like to think about what would have happened if I hadn't (stopped drinking), but I dare say I would probably be taking drugs by now and be waking up in hospital."

FebFast asks people to take a break from booze throughout February in order to raise funds for Mission Australia youth support services.

By taking part you will be supporting services such as DAYS; our Hindmarsh Centre’s after-hours mobile youth support service in South Australia, and Youth Beat, which reaches out to young people from it's base at Chigwell House in Glenorchy, Tasmania.

Time is running out, so register today at www.febfast.com.au (or click the FebFast link on our home page). You can kick-start your fundraising by donating $25 ($10 concession) as a registration fee.

*Name and image have been changed

FebFast - ban booze for a month and help our youth

Feeling worse for wear after the silly season? Why not take part in FebFast and support Mission Australia’s services for young people with serious drug and alcohol issues.

FebFast asks Australians to take a break from the booze during the shortest month. Imagine what 28 alcohol-free days could do for your health and wallet, not to mention waistline - 60 per cent of past FebFast participants lost weight!

By taking part this February you’ll also set a positive example for young Australians. According to the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, nearly one in 10 young people aged 14 to 19 drink at levels that put them at risk of long-term alcohol-related harm.

In Mission Australia’s National Survey of Young Australians 2010, participants also identified drugs and alcohol as the second-most important issue in Australia today.

Fittingly, any money you raise during FebFast will go towards three Mission Australia services that help young people to overcome drug and alcohol issues.

By forgoing alcohol for four weeks you will contribute to:

• The ongoing management of our Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) Residential Rehabilitation program in Western Australia;
• An after-hours mobile support service to operate from the Hindmarsh Centre, which is South Australia’s only youth-specific non-medical sobering-up facility up for young people;
• Maintaining Mission Australia’s Youth Beat bus in Tasmania. Your support will also enable our youth workers to reach out to young people in the Glenorchy area.
• And if you do feel the need to toast a special event (like Valentine’s Day) in February, you can buy a date-stamped ‘Time Out Certificate’ for $25, which gives you a 24-hour break from your FebFast.
• So why not do your body, bank balance and young Australians a favour this February and sign up at www.febfast.com.au. Your $25 ($10 concession) registration fee will kick-start your fundraising.

Once registered, you can build a personalised FebFast page where you can direct your family and friends.

Take a month off the booze this February and make a healthy start to 2011!

Less than eight days left to help Mission Australia face the new financial year

There is less than eight days left for Mission Australia's Tax Time appeal, coinciding with the end of the 2009-2010 Financial Year.

Mission Australia is urgently seeking funds before 30th June to help us run our services at full capacity through the next financial year.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible, and can be included with your next tax claim.

Funds raised are invested in our community services, such as Fairfax House in NSW, Youth Assistance Program in VIC or D.A.Y.S. Withdrawal and Respite Centre in WA.

So don't forget to donate soon and save on your tax return!