Matthew Antees loves a good beer. So much so he brews it himself.
Watching a game of footy or yarning with mates after a game of cricket – a cold one always goes down a treat.
But for the last month, the Loganholme local has gone without one of his favourite past-times. And all for a good cause.
Over the 31 days of July, Mr Antees went without to raise money for those suffering from bowel cancer.
“I set myself a bit of a challenge for Dry July. I thought I’d give it a crack.
“It wasn’t too bad to be honest. There were a few [tough] times with the State of Origin, the Lions tour, the cricket, and the Bulldogs were finally having a crack this year – all the things I like to have a beer with.
“The boys were helping me out, but they were also trying to tempt me as well.”
The 48-year-old isn’t the only person raising money through sobriety.
Since July 2008, people like Mr Antees have raised $100 million for cancer support services through the Dry July charity.
This July marked Mr Antees’ first time participating, and he raised more than $500.
Recent headlines have reported Australia’s bowel cancer rates for those under age 50 were the highest in the world, while rates of early-onset bowel cancer is rising by 8% annually.
Mr Antees said he was inspired to raise funds to fight bowel cancer after spending time with a sick veteran a few years ago.
He said there were several other personal experiences with friends and family passing away from some form of cancer.
“The stress they have to go through, any cancer patient will know.”
Beyond the positive impact Mr Antees felt he was making, he noticed a profound impact on himself.
“The body feels a lot better,” he said.
“I’ll probably slow down after all this.”
In the past, escaping the pressure of ‘have a beer’ was nigh impossible, but Mr Antees said that culture was changing.
“Some people would make other people feel bad for not having a beer. That sort of culture is going out the window now.
“I might just do it once a year from now on.
“ANd I think a couple of my mates might do it too.”
