I'm taking a quick trip up to Sydney this weekend to get immersed in arguably the world's most iconic fun run. Why would I do that, you ask? I'm running for Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), Australia's leading not-for-profit striving towards an Australia free from alcohol harms: https://lnkd.in/ejgiHKDp It also happens to be a pretty remarkable, purpose-driven workplace. I would know, I work there. In my (relatively) short time at FARE, I've come to understand how insidious the profit-driven alcohol industry can be in driving rates of alcohol-related injury, illness, violence and other harms in our communities. Every day, companies relentlessly target people who are attempting to recover from an alcohol dependency by serving them up ads to buy more alcohol. The alcohol industry uses front organisations to make it look as if they part of meaningful change. But behind the scenes, lobbyists donate political gifts and actively block reforms to decades-old alcohol laws that would bring them up to speed with the digital age. And companies use complex data-driven advertising practices to bombard school-aged kids with products that are clearly designed to appeal to them. There are many more harms, just like these, that the industry perpetrates. All of that doesn't sit right with me, particularly as someone who sees health and wellbeing as a core part of my life. Something needs to change. For that to happen, we must have an open conversation about alcohol's role in our lives, one that is free of stigma and shame. A conversation about how alcohol is historically - and harmfully - interwoven into notions of Australian culture and masculinity. A conversation about how alcohol has become an inescapable part of sporting events and our time spent online. A conversation about how alcohol is the leading risk factor for disease for men aged 15-44, responsible for 40% of Australia's liver cancer burden and 25% of road traffic injuries. That's a conversation FARE fosters, every single day, through our Voices of Change project. It gives people with a first-hand experience of alcohol harms a platform to tell their story, counter the narratives spun by the alcohol industry, and advocate for the change our community so desperately needs. As I get all my race day gear prepared for the big day, I would love if you could make a small donation to get our fundraising over the finish line. Even $30 would go a long way to help us achieve the progress Australia needs. https://lnkd.in/ejgiHKDp
Do you hear that? That's the buzz of excitement in our offices, because it's officially City2Surf race week! 🏃🏃♀️🎉 Our team is itching to hit Sydney's streets to tackle the epic and iconic 14km fun run - and of course, the (in)famous Heartbreak Hill. 🥵 But before race day, we sat down with our team to learn more about why they are running for FARE. We’d love it if you would support our team by donating $30 to help us raise awareness, spark conversations, and break down the stigma around alcohol harm. Follow this link to FARE's City2Surf fundraising page: https://lnkd.in/gg6uxcpg #City2Surf #Fundraising #PublicHealth #AlcoholAwareness #HarmPrevention
Director at Gemm Chemical & Coating Solutions
7moTo all my contacts, my son is participating in this weekends City to Surf. He is aiming to raise money for the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education - FARE. . Jump on his donation link and help a great cause .... thanks to everyone.