At some point in every journalist's career comes the story they never thought they would write.

This is mine.

And for those who know me, it might be the story they never thought they would read.

As of last Thursday morning, January 1 2014, I became a "dry-athlete". No alcohol will pass my lips for a month.

So far, so good. I haven't got the shakes, the heebie-jeebies and I'm showing no signs of depression - yet

This drastic measure has a twofold purpose.

Firstly it will help me achieve my New Year resolution of losing weight, getting fitter and generally feeling better.

Secondly - and more importantly - I will be joining thousands of others to raise cash for Cancer Research.

It goes without saying that the difficulties of staying alcohol-free for a month pale into insignificance with the nightmare endured by cancer sufferers.

The charity has provided me with a wristband emblazoned with the word "dryathlete", and a mug with the slogan "No beer in here".

The decision to go on the wagon was very much spur of the moment.

I had been aware of the Cancer Research challenge and thought "why not"? And so, on December 30, I signed up.

Ironically my drinking habits nowadays are far more civilised than 20 or 30 years ago and, for the most part, limited to a few beers at the weekend.

The occasional blowout is not unknown of course.

But the trouble with the beers, tasty as they are, is that they pile on the pounds.

Later this month the Evening Times will launch an Active 2014 campaign aimed at improving the health of Glaswegians in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

So who knows, if the January dryathlon is a roaring success then this addled old hack might just become the campaign's poster child.

Or maybe that's pushing things a bit too far.

I've set myself an ambitious target of £500 towards the fight against cancer.

n You can donate on my dryathlon page www.justgiving.com/Iain-Lundy-dryathlete

To make a donation via the charity's website, go to http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/support-us/find-an-event/charity- challenges/dryathlon

iain.lundy@eveningtimes.co.uk