DEVIZES dad Phil Cole, who knows the heartache cancer can cause, is urging people to go dry for September to raise money to help beat the disease.

Mr Cole, 66, is encouraging others to take part in Cancer Research UK’s Dryathlon after taking part in a similar event earlier in the year.

He joined forces with his sons Ben, 41, Tim, 39, Peter, 35, Simon, 33, and Jack, 21, to ditch the drink in January to raise funds for the charity and now wants others to take a month-long break from alcohol.

Mr Cole is committed to raising funds for the charity following his wife Liz’s experience of the disease. Eighteen years ago she lost both her parents to cancer within three weeks of each other, and then nine years ago she was diagnosed herself.

Fortunately following chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Southampton Hospital she made a good recovery.

Mr Cole said: "We were so lucky that Liz received such incredible care and treatment. As a family we always support Cancer Research UK as we know firsthand the difference research can make.

"My sons coerced me into taking part in Dryathlon because they thought it would be a great way to fundraise and I think they were worried about me drinking too much. They thought I would find it really tough but surprisingly it wasn’t too bad.

"There were occasions when it would have been lovely to have a glass of red wine with some roast beef but generally I didn’t find it as challenging as I thought I would.

"My friends fell about laughing when I first told them what I was doing but they were really supportive and they would buy me a Diet Coke without even asking me what I wanted."

He raised money by putting aside the money he would he would have spent on alcohol and then asked his friends from the Black Horse and Devizes Rugby Club to donate £5 if he made it through the month.

Mr Cole said: "My weight dropped from 15 to 13 and a half stone, I had more energy and I slept better. I felt great. I realised I was spending £150 a month on alcohol which really shocked me."

Emily Attwood, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Wiltshire, said: "We’re thrilled that Phil and his family enjoyed taking part in Dryathlon and we hope that they will inspire others in the region to take part this September."

To find out more about Dryathlon in September, visit www.dryathlon.org