Erebus Motorsport will go alcohol-free for the month of July and raise funds for people affected by cancer.
The entire Melbourne-based squad has signed up for this year’s Dry July to support projects and programs that improve the comfort and wellbeing of cancer patients, their families and carers.
Team boss Barry Ryan, one of the 24 part-time and full-time team members in the challenge, said he is very pleased to be part of Dry July.
“The cause is so worthy and important, everybody knows somebody that has been affected by cancer,” he said.
“My dad has recently overcome prostate cancer so the cause is very close to my heart.
“As a team we want to show our support while also committing to a healthier lifestyle.
“It’ll be interesting to see how everybody is feeling at the end of the month and hopefully we can use our platform as a professional motorsport team to raise important funds for prostate cancer.
“We are committed to do it for ourselves, our team and for those affected by cancer.”
Erebus will be raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), who are a major beneficiary of this year’s Dry July Foundation.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men, with a man newly diagnosed every 30 minutes and nine men dying from the disease daily.
The PCFA funds world-leading research into prostate cancer, with a keen interest in assisting with the emotional toll that diagnosis has on an individual’s mental health, while also improving advocacy and education campaigns.
Supercars commentator and Hall of Fame member, Neil Crompton and Australian motorsport legend John Bowe were both diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year.
Crompton, who was diagnosed mid-April, has since undergone surgery and is now recovering.
“We are all right behind Crompo and we wish him all the best as he recovers,” Ryan said.
“He is a figurehead of our sport and we look forward to welcoming him back to the track soon.”
The Dry July challenge will begin tomorrow, 1st July.