Staff and regulars at Monmouth's Riverside Hotel are turning an internet craze on its head to raise funds for a good cause.

The web has seen a raft of 'neknominations' in the past few weeks, with people downing a pint of alcohol before nominating friends to do the same via social media.

But with the 'game' becoming more and more extreme – and a number of deaths being attributed to it – some are trying to turn the nominations into something more positive.

A group from the Riverside raise funds for the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK each year in memory of Matt Lammas, who died in 2012 of cardiomyopathy – a condition that causes the heart to swell and fail.

This year, on Saturday 1st March at 7pm, the Riverside will host a karaoke night called 'Don't Neck and Nominate, and make a difference'.

Organisers Chris Powles and Katie Thomas are encouraging people to donate the money they would have spent on alcohol for a neknomination – with the average price of a 'dirty' pint coming in at about £10.

They are also selling raffle tickets for the night to help raise as much money as possible.

"We went around Monmouth with letters and posters asking them if they could donate any prizes and display our poster," said Katie.

"Although we received a response from a few kind business owners, we are hoping for more.

"We know if we can get the businesses and members of public involved this could be an amazing night and we could raise lots of money.

"We would love to see as many new and old faces as we can on the night, but we understand not everyone can make it."

Chris said: "Neknominations are potentially death cocktails. People will record themselves downing a pint of various things with no idea or care of how their body will take it and then challenge their mates to do better.

"It's gone past the innocent pint of lager and videos have been posted of all kinds of silly things, and not just alcohol; one litre of vodka gone in five seconds, disinfectant, bleach and other harsh chemicals.

"Just a couple of days ago a man was found dead after drinking two pints of gin.

"Our fundraising aim is to beat the £1,200 total we had last time."

Raffle squares are available at the Riverside Hotel and the Robin Hood in Monmouth, and you can donate online at http://www.justgiving.com/">www.justgiving.com/

teams/riversidehotelneckandnom

inate

Chris and Katie thanked Matthew Lewis, Edward White and Laura Weedon of the Riverside for their help and for agreeing to host the event.