Mr Fraser today embarks on Dry July, a month-long alcohol-abstinence fundraiser aimed at bolstering the health of Australians and the coffers of charities.

The 23-year-old has been “dry” for two previous Julys, both under trying circumstances.

His first month on the wagon was in 2012, when Mr Fraser was a uni student at Newcastle living in a lively share-house of seven.

Last year, after returning home to Quirindi to take up a position as manager of the Royal Theatre, Mr Fraser was on a self-imposed booze ban during a golden run on the footy field.

During July, he won players’ player for the Quirindi Lions twice, but was forced to celebrate with a lemon squash.

“It was hard but I forced myself not to drink by working behind the bar at the rugby club,” Mr Fraser said.

“Living in a small town, it seems everything revolves around alcohol.”

Mr Fraser, whose mum Shaen is the community programs co-ordinator at the Tamworth office of NSW Cancer Council and will go “dry” with him, will this year raise money for the North West Cancer Centre.

Last year, he raised $700 for the facility, and managed to lose 6kg in the process.

“Once you tell people what you’re doing it for, the peer pressure backs off a bit,” Mr Fraser said.

“You also feel a lot better in yourself, especially on weekends.”

To join the Dry July campaign, visit www.au.dryjuly.com