A NEWPORT DJ who ditched alcohol in a bid to raise money for St David’s has exceeded her target by £1,500.

Leanne Furnival, 31, of Baneswell, Newport, has worked as a DJ in the city since she was 15-years-old.

But earlier this year, Ms Furnival decided to go stone cold sober for the summer months, while raising money for St David’s Hospice.

She said: “People who know me know that when I work they give me shots, so I decided that I was probably drinking too much.

“I got the idea to give up alcohol from Alie and Clare Edwards who run the Windsor Castle pub in town as Clare has done a no drinking challenge for St David’s and they do a lot for charities, which inspired me."

Ms Furnival’s fundraising target was originally £500, but after her 90 days of no alcohol were up she had raised £2,000 for the hospice.

“I had no idea I would ever raise that much,” she added.

“I was quite worried about not getting my target of £500, let alone raising £2,000. I didn’t think people would be so generous.”

Ms Furnival said the challenge was difficult but that she does feel a lot better after being sober.

“It was hard, I had my best mate’s hen party and that was really hard, and I had birthdays and went out with my mum too," she said.

“But I felt so much better afterwards. I am drinking now, but not as much.”

St David’s Hospice provides a free and comprehensive palliative care service throughout Gwent for people facing progressive life-limiting illnesses.