Ocsober
Ocsober is an Australian fundraising initiative that encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of October.
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The money raised by voluntary participants goes to Life Education Australia, the organisation behind the educational mascot, Healthy Harold. For over 30 years, the well-known giraffe has been teaching Australian children how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle by resisting participation in drug and alcohol abuse. During 2014, Ocsober aimed to raise $1,000,000 to help Life Education Australia and Healthy Harold go into even more schools across Australia.[1] Ocsober is also used as an opportunity to highlight the growing danger of binge drinking and alcohol abuse, particularly among young Australians.
The statistics provided by Life Education estimates that 3 200 Australians die as a result of excessive alcohol consumption each year, while 81,000 end up in hospitals for the same reason.[1] The organisation behind this initiative is also hoping to promote more permanent changes to Australian drinking habits. [2] Participants will not just help a good cause but also might enjoy other potential benefits from a month off alcohol including feeling healthier and fitter, weight loss and the chance to try new sober activities. [3]
References
- WACHSMUTH, LISA (2 October 2014). "Why Jennifer is saying no during Ocsober". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- "After a wet September, it's a dry Oc-sober". ABC News. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
- "Charity urges sober October". ABC News. 30 September 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2018.