Hospital worker who was 'stuck in a rut' in lockdown ditches the booze for charity
A hospital worker who was drinking every day after getting "stuck in a rut" during lockdown has helped raise more than £4,000 with her friend after giving up the booze for January and February.
Linz Lockhart, from Stafford, said she realised her drinking was starting to become a problem and wanted to challenge herself to make a change - while raising cash for charity.
The 35-year-old and pal Becky James, an ambulance service call handler, struck a pact to do dry January and February, managing not to touch a drop for two months.
And, knowing what a difficult challenge it was, friends and family rallied behind the pair as the donations came flooding in. The money will be donated to Katharine House Hospice, which is based in Stafford and fighting for survival.
Ms Lockhart, a support service worker at Stafford Hospital, said the amount raised was "mind-blowing".
She said she realised she needed to cut down on her drinking which had become almost part of the daily routine during lockdown.
"I didn't think we would actually do it but after New Year's Eve that was it, we gave up for two months," she said. "I didn't think we would raise this much - we've still got money coming in.
"It's because everyone knows I was drinking so much, they knew it would be difficult. Finishing work, you can't do anything so you start drinking. You get home and drink - that's what I was doing."
Her struggles have highlighted the hidden issues many people will have faced during the lockdowns of the last year.
Ms Lockhart said: "I'm so glad I did this challenge. We're all stuck in a rut, aren't we? It's easy to do. You go home and there is nothing else to do. I don't want to get back in that situation.
"It has been difficult. But I have had lots of support from friends. If it wasn't for my friends I don't think I could have done it."
On Katharine House Hospice, she added: "I've known people who have been in there. It is fantastic how they have supported the families. It was to save our hospice."
