Jo Ferbrache said that she chose to go alcohol-free last year after realising that drink was dominating her life. She decided to raise funds for Friends of Jersey Oncology in the process.
Mrs Ferbache started a blog called Sober Jo to document her progress, and has almost 800 followers on her Instagram account.
Following a successful alcohol-free cocktail event at Project 52 in November, she said she planned to host a number of events this year to show people they could give up drinking and still have fun.
‘I was so overwhelmed by how fun the Project 52 event was. Everyone was sober but all the elements of a night out were there including a DJ and booze-free cocktails.
‘There was such a buzz that, by the end of the night, it almost felt as though people had had a couple of drinks.’
Speaking about her own journey, the marketing professional said: ‘I am an all-or-nothing person so my relationship with alcohol was getting out of control and starting to define who I was.
‘I wanted to explore whether I could live a fun and fulfilling life without drinking. Although giving up alcohol is not for everyone, it has given me confidence in myself and made me realise that my life is better without booze.’
Mrs Ferbrache added that she had made a lifestyle choice to remain alcohol-free permanently and wants to inspire other people this month – known as Dry January to those abstaining from alcohol – to consider a sober lifestyle.
This week Mrs Ferbrache presented the cheque to breast cancer survivor and friend Katie Herridge, who now volunteers for FOJO.
The money will go towards creating memorable experiences and activities for cancer sufferers and their families
who are undergoing treatment.
Mrs Herridge said: ‘FOJO are so grateful for Jo’s donation. I have loved watching her journey over the last year and seeing how sobriety has given Jo a lifetime of new experiences and happy memories.
‘It’s therefore fitting that the money she has raised goes towards creating happy experiences for those going through the toughest of times.’
Sober Jo’s upcoming events will be posted on her blog at soberjo.com.
