Page 36 - link magazine

Sport and Leisure

Dealing with the post festive blues Toothill drinkers go sober for Macmillan
By counsellor Simon Vizard
I’m actually writing this on “Blue
Monday”, allegedly the most
depressing day of the year (18
January), or so the experts say.
It’s true, this time of the year can
be tough, and for many reasons.
We’ve left the festive season
behind, yet some of the pressures
from that time may remain with us. Staying sober in Toothill: From Left Robert Porteous, Steve McNally,
The holiday season can be joyful or Steve Goodrick of Macmillan and Ian Baxter.
a time of stress and even a time of Three loyal drinkers at Toothill workmates at Swindon Grab Hire
loneliness. climate. Often we live under Community Centre bar gave up gave me a lot of encouragement.
Families and friends thrown gloomy skies, with few glimpses the booze in support of Macmillan It’s a sobering thought the number
together can experience fun and of the sun. The winter months can Cancer Support Go Sober for of people we know with cancer or
euphoria, but for some it can lead be miserable, and this can impact October campaign. have died.”
to discomfort, resentment and many people, some may even Robert Porteous, Steve McNally Robert added: “We had lots of
undue pressure to ‘enjoy yourself’. develop SAD (seasonal affective and Ian Baxter managed to raise support from people in the centre
The season always sweeps in with disorder). £1,107. bar, even though they put a lot of
a degree of commercialisation and Whatever the period means for Steve said: “I’ve been drinking in temptation in front of us.
media pressure to perform and you, it’s important to pause, and the club for over 30 years; Rob, Ian “They were surprised we could
to follow the crowd in order to take stock of your needs, your and I meet up most evenings after deny ourselves, after all we’re here
achieve this prescribed happiness is dreams, even your fears, and to do work. drinking most of the week. Bar
immense. as much (or as little) as you desire “One day we were talking about takings were down in October, but
I love Christmas personally, but to find your own level of happiness.
I find my feelings about it have We too often follow the instruction how many people were being we made up for it since.”
Steve Goodrick, Macmillan
treated for cancer and those who
changed as I get older, and as loved of others who tell us what we need had passed on because of it. fundraising manager for Wiltshire,
ones passed on or moved away, to do to be happy. Re-evaluation of “Then we started challenging each said: “It’s a fantastic total. It’s so
it has evolved into something our lives and needs is not always other to raise money for Macmillan impressive to know how people
different. It’s still a special time but simple though. and we agreed to have a go. are willing to change their ways to
very different from my childhood. If you need to talk get in touch, I “Nobody thought we could do it help the charity. The money raised
I believe this happens for all of us, can help. www.simonvizard.com but we showed them.” is so important to help us provide
and evolving can prove challenging. Registered Counsellor MBACP/Dip Couns (732631) Ian said: “The drinkers at The support to people diagnosed with
Let’s also consider the British 07519 411585 Windmill pub in Freshbrook and my cancer.”

36 swindonlink.com n February 2016