I'M A DRYATHLETE

It's a tough challenge as we all like a drink (quality reds are my preferred tipple) but to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK and the great work they do I'm not going to drink alcohol for the whole of January 2013 - you know this is going to be tough for me!

And here's why:

• In 2009, 41,142 people in the UK were diagnosed with bowel cancer.
• In 2010 there were 16,013 deaths from bowel cancer in the UK.

Early diagnosis of bowel cancer in the UK is a problem because people either find it uncomfortable to discuss the symptoms of the disease or simply do not know what they are. Survival rates in the UK are amongst the lowest in Europe, with 15% more patients being diagnosed at a later stage of the disease compared with most other European countries.

This is why Bowel Cancer UK's work - to encourage people to recognise the symptoms of the disease and to act on their concerns so that they have the best chance of survival - is so important.

So please dig deep and please donate now.