EMMA McNab is breaking a 13-year smoking habit this month in support of young people living with serious disadvantage.
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She and her colleagues at the Youth Support and Advocacy Service in Bendigo are doing febfast.
By sheer coincidence, each staffer has decided to give up something different for the month.
Lee Kennedy is ditching coffee. Shay Thacker is abstaining from alcohol. Horace Wansbrough is cutting down on sugar.
The fundraiser supports organisations like YSAS in their work with young people experiencing challenges like problematic drug and alcohol use.
Funds raised through febfast last year enabled YSAS Bendigo to run a hip-hop program in Maryborough, which fostered young people’s connection to community and services.
YSAS Bendigo is seeking further funding for the initiative.
Common to all the YSAS Bendigo febfast participants was a desire to challenge themselves and to experience how difficult it could be to reduce or abstain from something they were used to consuming.
“Society expects people that use to be able to quit or give up,” Mr Kennedy, a YSAS nurse practitioner, said.
But there’s more to it than that. Each YSAS Bendigo febfast participant was bracing for the initial physical and mental reactions to the month-long fast.
“For people who nominate to do it, it’s really good for them to get the health benefits but to also get a bit of an understanding about what it’s like to try and remain abstinent from a substance, should they choose alcohol,” Mr Kennedy said.
He and his colleagues considered Ms McNab particularly brave for opting to give up smoking after 13 years.
“I’ve never stopped, she said.
YSAS Bendigo has an estimated 70 – 80 active clients at any one time.
The people who access the service are between the ages of 12 – 25.
“There’s a lot of demand for YSAS,” Mr Wansbrough said.
The Bendigo office delivers outreach support to Mount Alexander, Mount Macedon, Central Goldfields and Loddon shires.
Five staffers perform direct client work.
To support YSAS Bendigo’s febfast appeal, search ‘YSAS Bendigo’ at febfast.org.au/sponsor For more information or to get involved, visit febfast.org.au
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