The Plunkett Boys: (From left), Ollie, Tom, Ben, dad Tony and William.
It’s 23 days into Dry July and Tom Plunkett is a bit parched but he knows it’s for a good cause.
The Windwhistle farmer and his brothers Will, Ben and Olly have sworn off the booze for a month to support their dad Tony in his fight against cancer.
The brothers hail from Rakaia Gorge. Two of them are farmers following in their dad’s footsteps and the other two are pilots – one in Australia and the other learning to fly in Cust.
Tom, who is the Plunkett Boys’ team leader, said they were partial to a beer or two so they knew Dry July was going to be a challenge.
“It does involve a bit of discipline and a bit of sacrifice,” he told The Country’s Jamie Mackay.
“He got a sore throat and what do you know? The cancer’s come knocking back again.”
Things progressed quickly from there, with the family learning the results within two to three weeks.
Tom said the doctor gave his dad two options.
“Either we take your throat out – which is your voice box and everything – or you bloody die.
“So obviously he took option one.”
With his dad facing a battle at the relatively young age of 62, Tom and his brothers thought Dry July would be a good way to raise some money and awareness.