Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

WIBU to ask for sponsorship for giving up alcohol for a year?

84 replies

LoopyLou1981 · 28/03/2018 10:02

Not from Mumsnet, in RL.

I’m trying to work out whether it’s a sponsorable ‘thing’ or whether it’s a bit of a crap idea.

I like a drink (and probably drink a bit too much). My job is quite social and includes lunches and nights out so this would be a massive change for me.

I want to do it to feel healthier but feel like sponsorship would keep me on track and it can’t hurt if I can do something for a good cause along the way??x

OP posts:

YoucancallmeVal · 28/03/2018 10:25

Yes duckponds I'm sure everyone HAS heard of dry January which is also a shit idea. I see no reason why I should pay because someone has a crazy idea to stop doing something.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 10:26

If raising money is your aim then in all honesty you would probably raise more by donating the money you spend on drink than you would be from sponsorship.

Momo27 · 28/03/2018 10:27

It’s an odd idea and I wouldn’t sponsor anyone for doing this. If you feel strongly about donating to a charity then give the money you’d otherwise be spending on alcohol.
Or better still, set up a direct debit so you’re donating on a regular basis rather than as a one off gimmicky thing.
I’ve no objection to sponsored events which are properly thought through meaningful things where people are putting them through something truly challenging like a marathon. But the whole sponsorship thing has become diluted with people expecting sponsorship for stuff like you’re suggesting

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 28/03/2018 10:28

I'd rather sponsor someone to give up alcohol than sponsor them to climb a mountain they've always wanted to climb.

why? I have sponsor many friends climbing, they pay everything, their training, their travel, their registration fees and all money raised was going straight to the charity. You never have to sponsor anyone, I just don't understand why you would refuse a physical challenge on principle.

MirandaWest · 28/03/2018 10:28

I find it a bit odd tbh - can’t you donate the money you haven’t spent on alcohol to charity?

Curtainshopping · 28/03/2018 10:29

I think sponsorship has to be for something that’s a massive challenge, that not everyone could or would do, and takes training and effort.

FleeceDetective · 28/03/2018 10:29

How much are you drinking currently? Put that money towards a donation and sponsor yourself.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 28/03/2018 10:29

what you could do is asking people to donate after a year, saying you have gave up alcohol for a year, and showing the cheque you are sending to the charity. That might motive people a bit more

duckponds · 28/03/2018 10:31

I would sponsor someone to give up drink for a year as I think that is actually quite challenging. I wouldn't sponsor anyone to run 10ks, but then I run 90ks a week so I don't see that as a challenge at all- so it's all relative.

liz70 · 28/03/2018 10:33

I repeat again, short of having daily breathalyser and blood tests, there's no way of verifying this. No verification, no sponsorship IMO.

YourWanMajella · 28/03/2018 10:34

Not having a drink is easy. Everyone can do it

That's not actually true.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 10:36

your

Sorry I should have put a disclaimer about alcoholism but that clearly isn’t what was being discussed so didn’t think it needed to be pointed out.

Shutupanddance1 · 28/03/2018 10:36

Seriously? No way - I’m currently pregnant and didn’t drink for period before I got pregnant - where’s my sponsorship? I haven’t drank in about a year.

Tainbri · 28/03/2018 10:39

I don't think it's unreasonable! You might even raise some decent funds if your known as a bit of a soak! the only think I would say is that perhaps do the sponsorship for a shorter period of time, such as a month, because realistically it's more achievable. If you decide to go on longer then do it for you (and donate to charity the money you saved on booze?)

YourWanMajella · 28/03/2018 10:41

Sorry I should have put a disclaimer about alcoholism but that clearly isn’t what was being discussed so didn’t think it needed to be pointed out

Actually there is quite a spectrum between full on alcoholism and it being the easiest thing not to drink alcohol.

geekone · 28/03/2018 10:43

I would sponsor you. Not because you are not drinking but because "charity" I think most people are missing the point. People get sponsored to have their head shaved, sit in a bath of beans, be quiet for an hour, give up chocolate for a month, etc. What you do for charity isn't important, it's the charity that is important. Maybe find a charity that has some links to alcohol addiction etc. Good luck i could never give up gin for a year

Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 10:43

your You are just being difficult now. If you aren’t an alcoholic then it is perfectly possible to give up alcohol. I love a drink and while I wouldn’t chose to give it up I have managed easily when necessary,

geekone · 28/03/2018 10:44

Damn underscore instead of score through

Justanotherlurker · 28/03/2018 10:45

That's not actually true.

Well that's obvious, but most people just stop drinking quietly instead of trying to make it into a huge "charitable" event.

If you want constant questions/kudos or whatever for doing something for charity go ahead, stopping drinking for a year just seems a to be a bit more about you and you wanting more than a general packpat and congratulations.

Save all the money that you would have spent on drink yourself for a year, donate it quietly.

gamerwidow · 28/03/2018 10:45

I was going to say yabu then I remembered that last year I sponsored someone to give up wine and crisps for a month so maybe not. Depends on your friends really .

TheViceOfReason · 28/03/2018 10:45

If you want to benefit a charity, why not collect the money that you would have spent on alcohol and donate that at the end of a year?

If somebody asked me to sponsor them to give up drinking for a year i would be very .

I would also assume that they must have a drinking problem.

JustHappy3 · 28/03/2018 10:47

No i wouldn't sponsor you. But then i don't sponsor anyone for doing something that benefits them - marathons, cycling etc.
I would think you were amazing if you did it to raise awareness of an alcohol related illnesses eg FASD. Just telling people what you are doing would keep you on track surely.

HollyBayTree · 28/03/2018 10:50

I have to be honest - this is something that REALLY REALLY irritates me.

If you have a drink problem then you have my empathy.

If you need to be sponsored to give up drink, then I think you are absolutely taking the proverbial piss. If you want to make a charitable donation - use that £5 a bottle you haven’t been drinking every night - that should add up to the thick end of £2,000 and donate that to your favourite cause.

Or to put it another way - what are you going to do with the 2 grand you haven’t spunked out on booze, whilst expecting your friends to stump up for you largess?

PorkFlute · 28/03/2018 10:50

I don’t think it’s any cheekier than any sponsor request tbh. People will probably support you if they support the charity. A year is a long time though and most people would probably have forgotten about it.
I like the idea of putting aside the money you would spend on alcohol and donating that. It should help motivate you and your health and the charity would benefit.

SleepFreeZone · 28/03/2018 10:51

THe problem
I would have is how would I know you haven’t had a drink at home, on the quiet? It would involve taking you at your word a d I know from 30 years of dieting that it’s very easy to start off with great intentions and then slowly things start to slip.

Flip

1 2 3 4