A BUSINESS owner from Bradford on Avon gave up drinking over the Christmas season to raise money for charity, in memory of a best friend's relative who died from cancer.

Christine Giles, 49, of Deverill Close, and her team at Christine Sustainable Supermarket in Silver Street have all given up something in their lives in a bid to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“It is going very well, we have already raised just over £1,100 by day 48. On day 50 it was my birthday so I couldn’t have a glass of wine for it," she joked.

"Elle Camp who works here has given up chocolate and Bryce Lee-Sekulic has given up telling bad jokes. I decided to quit alcohol because I would get home on weekends and open a bottle of wine, I thought it would be good to give it up for a while. I’ve given up smoking before and that’s a big one, but giving up drinking is rather easy,” said Miss Giles.

After just a few days, Miss Giles and her team had received a large number of donations, after advertising their efforts on Twitter and Facebook as well as setting up a donation point in the shop. The idea for the fundraiser first came up after Miss Giles wanted to make a donation in memory of someone she knew who died of cancer.

“My best friend's cousin Jane died of cancer at 43, and there was no one able to take on her two cats. so my best friend asked me if I was able to look after them as long as possible.

"We took them on but it was not the easiest of things to do, as I am a single mum with three children and a business, plus I am not really a cat person. Eventually I got Bath Cats and Dogs Home to find them new homes, and donated £200 so they could carry out any tests they needed," explained Miss Giles.

“I thought that I would do something positive on the back of this and decided to give up alcohol for 100 days and hopefully raise £1,000 in memory of Jane for Cancer Research. My staff also decided to join me. After 48 days we are all well on our way to raising £1,200 which is absolutely amazing. I would like to say a massive thank you to all my friends and customers who have supported us,” she added.