Derry celebrities unite with HURT to create innovative video

An alcohol awareness video carrying the message 'Quit the Beer Pressure' has been launched in Derry this week.

The video, feauring boxer Connor Coyle and local band Lavengro, is a collaboration between Derry addiction charity HURT, Pure Derry and the Bentley Group and has been released to mark alcohol awareness week (July 3-9).

It is part of the 'Dry n' Out' initiative which launched in January and which will run for a year, a campaign addressing peer pressure around alcohol consumption that aims to eliminate the stigma associated with non-drinking while promoting inclusive socialising and the idea that someone should not feel out of place on a night out (or reluctant to go out in the first place) because, for whatever reasons, they are not drinking alcohol.

IN PICTURES: Great night’s Craic at Hurt’s ‘Family Fortunes’

Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography

In the video, Connor 'The Kid' Coyle raises eyebrows among a group of friends (Laura Kelly, Chantelle O'Hagan and the members of Lavengro) socialising in the bar together when they notice he's drinking 'zero alcohol' beer.

One friend urges Connor to 'wind your neck in and get a proper pint' while another makes a joke about 'letting the side down'. He heads off to the bar to order, leaving the bemused friends coming up with reasons as to why he's not drinking. But as the conversation goes on, they become more empathetic and acknowledge he might not like the hangovers that come with heavy drinking or may, indeed, have a problem.

Meanwhile, Connor encounters an understanding barman (Pure Derry's Ciaran Murray) who says, 'what about a Guinness Zero in a Guinness glass? - they'll be none the wiser'. The film ends with Ciaran's voiceover saying, 'there are loads of reasons people avoid drinking alcohol, and they're always personal and always deserve respect', before urging people to avoid stigmatising those who choose not to drink at social occasions but instead to encourage inclusion no matter what someone is drinking.

The video was unveiled at the Bentley Group's 'Family Fortunes' event in aid of HURT, held in Link 48 on Friday night. 

EMPATHY: Pure Derry's Ciaran Murray plays an understanding barman.

Leeanne Doherty, HURT business development and social enterprise manager, said: “I thought it would be risky - an addiction charity partnering with a bar and restaurant chain - but the guys at the Bentley group loved the concept and came on board straight away.

“At HURT we understand the impact a lack of socialising has on your mental health and, if anything, the past few years have demonstrated this. 

“Therefore, we think this campaign very much aligns with our mission to support and help to reduce alcohol misuse whilst also enabling our community to be able to socialise in their local bars.”  

The 'Dry n' Out: Quit the Beer Pressure' video is available to watch now at the Bentley Bar and Pure Derry Facebook pages. 

The Bentley Group and HURT invite everyone to actively participate in alcohol awareness week by using the hashtags #Drynout #QuitTheBeerPressure and sharing the video on social media in order to collectively spread the message of inclusivity and empathy.

For more information on the 'Hurts Dry N Out' campaign, visit www.hurtni.org.