No crying into his beer

This week marks the start of an alcohol-free month in the Codee-Waldeck household.

Albany artist Sue Codee and her husband, musician and bar manager Geoff “Rev” Waldeck, are taking part in Dry July to raise money for Cancer Council WA.

The couple said the cause was close to their hearts.

Ms Codee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.

She said the support networks she accessed during and after her treatments were invaluable.

“I want to support and raise money for all these fantastic support groups — ones that I used when I was sick,” she said.

“I used so many of them and they were fantastic.

“They are so valuable, and not just for the patient but for so many families.”

So how will Mr Waldeck — the manager of Six Degrees and a self-professed beer-lover — cope without the odd ale or stout?

“With great intestinal fortitude,” Mr Waldeck said.

“It’s important to us. The support that we got from various cancer networks and Crawford Lodge in Perth, they were brilliant.

“People laugh at me when I tell them I’m doing it, but I’m going to save on the tab bill at the end of the month, that’s for sure.

“Serving the whole month something that I quite like and not being able to partake ... I’m going to complain, but it won’t be hard.”

During Dry July, participants sacrifice all forms of alcohol, not only to raise funds for the Cancer Council but to reflect on their own drinking habits.

Cancer Council WA has received more than $1.2 million as a benefici-ary of Dry July in the past five years.

The funds have helped facilities such as Crawford Lodge, which provides short-term accommodation in Perth for regional cancer patients and their families.