The end is in sight for hundreds of people taking part in the New Zealand Drug Foundation's annual FebFast challenge - just one more week to go.

Coordinator Catherine Milburn says FebFast officially ends on 29 February, but people can continue to make donations online at www.febfast.org.nz until the end of March. People can also text FebFast to 5338 to make an instant $3 donation.

And she knows lots of people are looking forward to enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine after their month-long break from alcohol.

"FebFast is not about giving up alcohol for ever," she says.

"It's about raising money for charity, giving our bodies a break after socialising all summer and also thinking whether we want to make any changes to our own drinking habits.

"Some people find FebFast easy to do and may even extend their alcohol-free period beyond February, while others have found it much harder and are really hanging out for a drink with family or friends."

Catherine Milburn says some of the benefits of going alcohol-free include weight loss, feeling more alert, having more energy, and saving money from not buying alcohol.

Funds raised from this year's FebFast will support work to help young people affected by alcohol or drug problems. The four youth charities to receive funding are: Evolve (Wellington), Rainbow Youth (Auckland), CareNZ (Waikato), and the ADHD Association (national).