Web designer Caroline Waddell will be leaving her laptop in the office as she runs the 26.2 miles of the Virgin London Marathon in aid of alcohol education charity Drinkaware on Sunday.

Caroline is aiming to raise £2,012 for Drinkaware helping the national charity to provide even more consumers with the facts about alcohol.

Caroline can be spotted running round her home town of Maidstone with Mote Park one of her favourite stomping grounds. Caroline’s training has had ups and downs, as is common in preparing for such a big physical challenge.

Caroline Waddell, said:

“I feel I have progressed a lot and I am now ready and set for the big day. When I saw I could run for Drinkaware it felt like a suitable one for me. I think it’s especially important to inform young people about the health effects of drinking. My mum was always particularly attentive as to how alcohol could affect me and my siblings. So she’s really happy I’m running for this cause.

To help me on my way to being marathon-fit I’ve been using MyDrinkaware.co.uk to keep an eye on the calories in my favourite drinks.”

Chris Sorek, chief executive of alcohol education charity Drinkaware says:

“We are delighted to have five runners in the marathon this year. Caroline has been doing a fantastic job fundraising and training and it’s great to hear that MyDrinkaware has helped. Get behind her by cheering her on round the course – she will be moving fast but you will spot her in her personalised Drinkaware running vest.”

You can sponsor Caroline via her JustGiving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/wwwaddell

Fast Facts: the impact of alcohol on your body

 

Daily guidelines

One drink doesn’t equate to one unit of alcohol – the size and strength of your drink determines the number of units it contains. One glass of wine can range from just over one unit to more than three units.

Calories

Alcohol has hidden calories, almost as many as pure fat. A pint of premium 4% lager has the same amount of calories as a slice of pepperoni pizza and two double gin and tonics is the calorific equivalent of a burger.

Liver damage

Half of all 25-44 year olds drink over the daily unit guidelines, making them unknowingly twice as likely to develop liver damage, which has no warning signs.

Cancer

Alcohol is responsible for over 3,000 breast cancer cases each year. It isn’t just heavy drinkers who are at risk of cancer, so it’s best to look after your health by sticking within the daily unit guidelines.

Sleep

Drinking alcohol causes you to have significantly less rapid eye movement (REM). This means you miss out on the important first stage of sleep, have more disrupted sleep and can wake up feeling exhausted.

To find out what impact alcohol could be having on your body and how many units are in your favourite drink go to: MyDrinkaware.co.uk.

 

Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals.

*The government advises that people should not regularly drink more than the daily unit guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine). ‘Regularly’ means drinking every day or most days of the week.