Soap actors go on the wagon to raise money for cancer patients

Peter Huang, Amelia Reid and Pua Magasiva.

The Shortland Street set will be almost alcohol-free this month as a handful of the show's stars cut out the booze.

The actors are among thousands of Kiwis taking part in Dry July, a campaign in which people abstain from drinking for 31 days to raise money for cancer.

The campaign started as a challenge among a group of friends in 2008, but has since raised more than $11 million.

Taking part from the popular soap are Pua Magasiva (Vinnie Kruse), Beth Allen (Brooke Freeman), Teuila Blakely (Vasa Levi), Jacqueline Nairn (Wendy Cooper), Amelia Reid (Bella Cooper) and Peter Huang (Henry Lee).

Allen told the Herald that she wasn't a big drinker anyway.

"It's just a great cause," she said.

"It's a really good way to get people to think about the way they drink, especially with New Zealand's drinking culture."

The feat will be easy for Magasiva, who is already a teetotaller.

"I've already chosen to go completely alcohol-free anyway, so it made perfect sense to stick with my life decision but also raise some money for a great cause at the same time."

Nearly 4,000 Kiwis, including actor Temuera Morrison, All White Adam McGeorge and Seven Sharp's Jesse Mulligan have signed up, and last night, $285,922.43 had been raised.