Andy Jarvis Takes on the Yearlong Alcohol-Free Challenge
Andy Jarvis is a Project Manager and
Social Media Champion at our office in The Maltings. Always eager to support
his colleagues and our apprentices during their fundraising projects, he’s now
taken on a mighty challenge himself, pledging to drink no alcohol for twelve
months whilst incorporating more exercise into his daily routine.
“I
wanted to give up something I enjoy to help people who for whatever reason
don't have the life I have,” says Andy. “I've always liked a drink and
it's been a big part of my social life, but I'd been reading and listening to a
lot about alcohol being a socially acceptable drug and the effect it has on
you. Also, social media had an impact as I see people constantly espousing
political opinions and beliefs on a manner of different subjects but not
actually doing anything about it. Doing this challenge is a way of saying that
people out there need support through tough times and I can help in that
respect. “
Wanting to help numerous worthy causes in the process, Andy has chosen Hull Homeless Community Project (HHCP), the Rainbow Trust and the Alzheimer’s Society as the recipients of any funds that he raises during his yearlong personal challenge.
“I don't feel in this day and age that anyone should be
living on the streets,” he explains, “and the work that HHCP does goes a long
way to providing people with support and the means to make a better life for
themselves.”
SGS has actually
been working with HHCP a lot over the last year, as our apprentices have been
raising money for this charity as well as Hull and East Yorkshire Mind,
Yorkshire Cancer Research and Aaron’s Battle. They even met up with its CEO,
Andrew Smith, to clean
and decorate a flat for a woman moving into independent living, so it’s
excellent that Andy’s giving our colleagues further opportunities to support
its crucial outreach work and community projects.
“Meanwhile, the
Rainbow Trust helps families with a child who has a serious illness,” says
Andy. “Support is offered for the whole family and I think it's important to
remember that whilst it's the individual who has the illness, the effect it has
on those closest can sometimes be hard to bear.
“And then we have
the Alzheimer’s Society, which has personal significance for me as my father-in-law
sadly passed away from a form of the disease a few years ago. This charity is
dedicated to research to hopefully find a cure.”
Alongside not allowing
a single drop of alcohol to pass his lips, Andy is also making sure to run and
cycle thirty miles a month: “I generally run a couple of 5Ks a week and go for
a walk every lunchtime, so I'm relatively fit in that sense. However,
committing to this challenge will mean motivating myself to run or cycle in all
weather conditions throughout the year and with no excuses.”
Andy’s intention is to run or cycle after work each day and at the weekends. He’s off to a great start, as he ran just over fourteen miles in his first week of the challenge – at this rate, he’ll absolutely smash his target, even as the colder weather sets in.
“I began on 1st
September and I’m definitely going in the right direction,” he adds. “I’m
really looking forward to doing the challenge for a full year, making a
difference to people's lives, and proving to myself that I can do it. The
hardest part will be motivating myself through the winter months, but I’m sure
that my colleagues will spur me on. That’s what I love about SGS the most – the
people really do make the environment a great place to work.”
We’re extremely
proud of Andy for taking on such a mammoth task and wish him all the very best
with it. Stay tuned for updates and in the meantime you can add something to
his JustGiving page, as
all donations large and small will be greatly appreciated.
