CHIEF Minister Katy Gallagher is encouraging Canberrans to abandon alcohol consumption for a month and support the Dry July program.

Dry July, an annual event that challenges people to go one month without drinking alcohol in order to raise money through sponsorship from family, friends and colleagues in aid of supporting adults with cancer.

Lat year was the biggest fundraising year for Dry July with more than $87,000 was raised for Canberra Hospital’s Oncology Department.

“Dry July is a light-hearted approach to raising funds for a serious issue,” the Chief Minister said. “In addition to raising money for a good cause there are significant health benefits to taking part in Dry July.”

Dry July, in its fifth year, has grown from an initial idea of friends raising $3000 for a local hospital to a national fundraising campaign. Last year, more than 11,400 participants raised more than $2.8 million nationally.

Sign up to Dry July at www.dryjuly.com, create a profile page and encourage friends and peers to participate by setting up a team.