IMOGEN’S DRY RUN
Welsh glamour girl on losing her dad and going sober for charity
WELSH model Imogen Thomas has spoken about how the death of her father from cancer has encouraged her to do all she can to support research into the disease.
The former Big Brother star has signed up for Cancer Research UK’s Dryathlon which takes place in September and sees people remain booze-free for a month.
Dressed in a retro bathing suit and her hair in 1950sstyle curls, the model posed in a water-filled giant Martini glass, inspired by burlesque icon Dita Von Teese’s famous routine, for a photo shoot to raise awareness of the event. Imogen, who is mum to daughters Ariana and Siera, is encouraging people across the UK to join her and bin the booze for 30 days next month to raise money for the charity’s vital research into beating cancer. Her appeal comes after her father Charles Thomas died in December last year – shortly after the birth of her second daughter Siera. Imogen , from Llanelli, said: “Losing my beloved dad to cancer was one of the most heartbreaking things to happen to me. I miss him terribly and he’s not going to see my daughters grow up. Too many people have been affected by this awful disease so it is so important to raise money for research that will help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”
She added: “Having lost my dad to cancer recently I just thought it would be a really good way of raising money and raising awareness. It’s something that’s close to my heart.
“I feel like so many people can relate to cancer because they would have known somebody who’s had it or someone that they’ve lost or someone that has it now. Just giving up booze for one month is nothing compared to what cancer patients have to go through. This is quite doable. You’ve just got to have willpower and just do it.”
Speaking at the time of her father’s death, the former Miss Wales said: “Dad, I will never forget you. I have so many memories that will stay with me for ever.
“I will never let Ariana forget you and I will be telling Siera all about you. I miss you already, my heartache will never go away.”
Since it started in 2013, Dryathlon has raised more than £19.5m for Cancer Research UK’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This year’s event will run from September 1 to 30.
Imogen said: “I’ve had a long summer of drinking cocktails so it’s just going to be great to be totally sober for one month.
“Dryathlon is the perfect opportunity for everyone in Wales to kick-start a new season, by going boozefree for September.”