SOBER in SHORTS.

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A six month mission to stay sober while only wearing shorts, all to raise money for a Fantastic charity.

IT ALL BEGINS WITH AN IDEA

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IT ALL BEGINS WITH AN IDEA ✦

Hello, I’m Henry!

You found me - yay!

I’m running the London Marathon 2025 for leonard cheshire and to kick off my fundraising, I’m starting a six month mission to stay sober while only wearing shorts.

If you know me, you’ll know I only really wear shorts anyway. You’ll also know, I love pints and I love pubs. So the sober part is the real challenge.

Please donate if you can - or send over any advice for the next 182 days.

Why I’m Running It…

My Uncle Rob was a proper legend. He told me he had a tattoo of a snake on his bum, so I thought he was the coolest man ever.

Sadly, he had several strokes after a genetic brain aneurysm - which is basically a birth mark on his brain. It was inoperable after lots of different tests and then, over the years, he lost the use of his arm and leg.

So he ended up going to Leonard Cheshire day centres for five years or so but, when he needed to be somewhere with round the clock care, he moved into the Leonard Cheshire home in Freshfield as a resident and they cared for him amazingly. He was able to paint and express himself through art - he always had a different project on the go! Painting all sorts from garden gnomes to bird houses.

Leonard Cheshire were just brilliant with Rob. I spoke to my cousin Ste and he said “it was Rob’s home away from home” - which is the highest praise really, isn’t it? Leonard Cheshire make people in their care feel like they’re at home.

Rob's no longer with us, but I’ve got so much to thank Leonard Cheshire for.

So, to raise money ...

I'm going Sober in Shorts! Six months wearing shorts and off the booze, from the 27th of October to the 27th of April.

If you know me, you know I love wearing shorts.

But I also love pints and pubs. So staying sober is going to be the real challenge!

I’m also going to do some other money making, including some baking themed fundraisers … so keep your eyes peeled for all that!

SOBER IN SHORTS | DIARY

Sunday 27th October

Sober in Shorts

I’ve spent a wonderful week drinking all over the country. From York to Edinburgh and back home to The Shire.

As I stare at the remains of last nights kebab, a strip of doner meat poking out like a cows sloppy tongue, it dawns on me that tomorrow we start our sober mission.

One last can. One more sleep.

The Guinness you see was the last of three pints drank on this ceremonial occasion, along with a crisp buffet and a plethora of bar snacks.

Tuesday 29th October

Sober in Shorts | Day 2

It’s getting real. Soft launch on the BBC Radio Merseyside breakfast show.

Wednesday 30th October

Sober in Shorts | Day 3

I saw hundreds upon hundreds of birds today, endless waves of them splashed across the sky, migrating to somewhere warmer.

A reminder this is the perfect time of year to commit to shorts for the foreseeable future.

Also did my first 5k in forever!!! Lets have it!

Saturday 9th November

Sober in Shorts | Day 13

Busy week! Booze free and three runs under my belt, including this sweaty 5 miles on Wednesday.

Saturday 2nd November

Sober in Shorts | Day 6

First real test today. Train cancelations caused meant it took me three and a half hours to get home after work. All I wanted was a cold can and a bottle of red. But resistance prevailed and I replaced the taste of booze with a mound of pesto pasta. God bless carbs.

Wednesday 13 November

Sober in Shorts | Day 17

Cranking up the milage again!

To be honest, I really didn’t feel like running. But then I watched ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and watching Harry run to Sally at the New Years Eve party in the finale gave me the inspiration I needed to pound it out.

It takes all sorts.

Friday 20th December

Sober in Shorts | Day 54

Another big plod! 8 miles today and that’s the long runs done for me in 2024.

I’ll be back with a half-marathon in early January!

Until then, Happy Yule and all the best.

Thursday 27th April

Sober in Shorts | Day 123

THREE MONTHS SOBER IN SHORTS!!!

123 days without a pint. All I want is a nice pair of slacks and a negroni, but we march on!

Two months until marathon day…

Sunday 1st December

Sober in Shorts | Day 35

Glorious day in Liverpool for the Santa Dash!

After no running for over a week it felt good to be back at it. I’m wishing on a Christmas miracle for my right leg - tomorrow I will wake and it’ll be a spring chicken once more.

Friday 1st November

Sober in Shorts | Day 5

It’s weird when you say you’re not going to do something, like when someone tells you not to press that button or flick that switch. All you then want to do is press it, flick it. Drink it. Now I’ve committed to six months sobriety, drinking seems to be on the mind that little bit more.

Thursday 28th November

Sober in Shorts | Day 32

ONE MONTH SOBER!

No running so far this week though, my right leg is not happy.

Ice, rest and we run again in December.

Sunday 23rd March

Sober in Shorts | Day 147

Unreal day at the Liverpool Half Marathon!

It was an honour to run with my cousin in support of Elsie’s Story.

Really chuffed with my time too!

I received these messages from a close friend.

Goodbye to fun and jolly. Hello to misery and pain.

Sunday 12th January

Sober in Shorts | Day 77

After the Central Lancashire Half Marathon was cancelled last week due to bad weather, it felt good to get a 10k under my belt at the Run Heaton Park event today!

I took the picture above last week in a brilliant Edinburgh pub - The Guildford Arms. I knew it was my last week drinking for a while so I went all out. Crisp Tennents, Talisker chaser.

Friday 7th Feb

Sober in Shorts | Day 103

12 MILES! Furthest yet.

Really looking forward to the Great North West Half Marathon in Blackpool next Sunday!

Sunday 13th April

Sober in Shorts | Day 168

The photo on the right has been my view for the last three weeks - my left leg wrapped up with frozen peas and cling film. Tore fibres in my thigh running Liverpool Half and haven’t run since. It’s been rubbish in all honesty but, after several physio sessions, I’ll hopefully be back out on the road tomorrow!