Ex-Eagle Daniel Kerr signs on as Life Education Ocsober ambassador

FORMER West Coast Eagles star Daniel Kerr will next month swap pints for protein shakes after signing on as a Life Education ambassador for Ocsober.

The Kardinya resident admits he has not gone an entire October without a drink since he was 17, but said he was looking forward to the challenge.

“My brother-in-law owns a gym in Melville, I’ve signed up for a membership and he is loading me up with an exercise program,” Kerr said.

“I’m planning to stay off the drink and use the month to get fit.”

Kerr’s drug and alcohol battles are well documented but the 220-game Eagle and father of three is adamant he has turned a corner.

“I believe that education is the most effective way to begin to change Australia’s binge drinking culture, reduce the misuse of drugs and save young lives,” he said.

Kerr’s work with community program Together We Can brings him into contact with children all over Western Australia, including remote and regional communities where alcohol abuse can be rife.

“I go to some places greatly affected by alcohol and some that are dry communities and have seen both ends of the spectrum,” he said.

“The difference between children in places with high levels of alcohol abuse and those where it is not common is vast and that’s why I think the work Life Education does talking to kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol is so worthwhile.”

In Australia over one million children, or 22 per cent of all kids, are estimated to be affected in some way by the drinking of others.

This year, Life Education is asking Australians to sign up for Ocsober to help raise $500,000 to support the charity’s preventative health education programs.

To register for Ocsober visit www.ocsober.com.au.

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