- Sober October, run by global fundraising platform Ezy Raise, will support Alcohol Change UK in 2026
- People across the UK invited to go alcohol-free for 31 days this October while raising vital funds to help reduce alcohol harm
September 2026 |
Alcohol Change UK is the new official charity of Sober October, launching a new chapter for one of the UK's best-known fundraising challenges from 1 October 2026.
Sober October is owned and delivered by global fundraising platform, Ezy Raise, which also runs campaigns like Dry July Australia and Dry Feb Canada, partnering with charities in these countries to raise funds for their causes. The first instalment of Sober October with Alcohol Change UK begins on 1 October 2026, marking a new chapter for one of the UK’s best-known fundraising challenges.
People across the UK are invited to go alcohol-free for 31 days and encourage friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them, with every pound raised supporting Alcohol Change UK’s work to create a society free from alcohol harm. This work includes providing trusted information, advice and research, investing in tools like its Try Dry® app and a collection of resources to help people around the world make lasting changes to their drinking habits and campaigning for policy, practice and cultural change, all with the aim of preventing avoidable alcohol harm, saving and improving lives.
Danielle Houliston, Executive Director of Income and Engagement at Alcohol Change UK, said: “Alcohol harm impacts millions of us across the UK. It can affect our sleep, mental and physical health, relationships and finances, and at its most severe can devastate families and cut lives short.
“For over a decade, Sober October has shown what can happen when thousands of people take on a challenge together and turn their personal commitment into something bigger. We’re incredibly proud to become its new charity partner and work with the team at Ezy Raise to build on the fantastic fundraising legacy.
“Going alcohol-free for October can be a brilliant personal challenge, and every pound raised will help us reduce alcohol harm, support people to make positive changes and campaign for a society where alcohol causes less harm.
“Whether 31 alcohol-free days feels like a major challenge or simply an opportunity to try something different, we’d love people to get involved, get sponsored and help make a real difference.”
Brett Macdonald, Managing Director of EzyRaise, added: “Sober October is a great opportunity for people to pause, reflect on their relationship with alcohol and feel the health and wellbeing benefits of taking a break while raising money for an important cause.
“We’re so pleased to partner with Alcohol Change UK as the campaign’s new charity partner in 2026. Its expertise in alcohol harm and behaviour change makes it a natural fit for Sober October, and we’re excited to work together to build on the campaign’s fundraising legacy and reach even more people.”
Taking part is simple: sign up, create a fundraising page and ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you to go alcohol-free from 1-31 October. There is no minimum fundraising target, and every donation will support Alcohol Change UK’s work to reduce alcohol harm.
Participants can also download Alcohol Change UK’s free Try Dry® app and select the Sober October goal to track their alcohol-free days, monitor their progress and see the benefits throughout the month.
Anyone who may be physically dependent on alcohol should seek medical advice before stopping drinking suddenly. Further information about alcohol withdrawal and how to reduce drinking safely is available on the Alcohol Change UK website.
For more information and to sign up for Sober October, visit https://www.soberoctober.org.uk.
Contact:
For more information, content and interviews about Sober October, please contact: [email protected].
About Sober October
Sober October is a fundraising challenge owned and delivered by Ezy Raise. It invites people to go alcohol-free for the 31 days of October and raise money for Alcohol Change UK.
Participants create a fundraising page and ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor their alcohol-free month. There is no minimum fundraising target, and every donation supports Alcohol Change UK’s work to reduce alcohol harm.
Sober October and the Dry January® challenge
Sober October and the Dry January® challenge both involve taking a month-long break from alcohol, but they have different purposes. Sober October is first and foremost a fundraising challenge, with participants asking people to sponsor their 31 alcohol-free days.
The Dry January® challenge is Alcohol Change UK’s flagship behaviour-change challenge, providing dedicated tools and support to help people explore and change their relationship with alcohol.
About Alcohol Change UK
Alcohol Change UK is an independent charity working for a world free from alcohol harm. We fund, commission and share research; provide information and advice; work to ensure more and better support and treatment; encourage better policy and regulation; shift drinking cultures through our campaigns; and work to change drinking behaviours. Find out more at: alcoholchange.org.uk
Important advice on alcohol withdrawal
Warning
If you drink very heavily or regularly, Sober October may not be for you. People who are clinically alcohol dependent can die if they suddenly, completely stop drinking. If you experience fits, shaking hands, sweating, seeing things that are not real, depression, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping after a period of drinking and while sobering up, then you may be clinically alcohol dependent and should NOT suddenly, completely stop drinking.
But you can still take control of your drinking. Talk to a GP or your local community alcohol service who will be able to get help for you to reduce your drinking safely. Find out more on the Alcohol Change UK website.
