Story
<p>This June, I’ve got my first Olympic distance triathlon. 1.5km open water swim, 40km cycling, 10km running. It is going to be tough. So I need some extra motivation, which is why I am fund-raising money for <a href="http://www.haga.co.uk">HAGA</a>, a local alcohol charity in Haringey, London.<br><br> When I cared for someone with an addiction it ate away my resources and nerves. All of a sudden there is a big fat rainy cloud above you and you cannot push it away, because it is not in your power.<br><br> One of the very few places to turn to in Haringey is <a href="http://haga.co.uk/">HAGA</a>. They are a big source of relief for people who struggle with alcohol and their families & partners. They cannot solve the problem for you, but they are there to listen and to help figure out what to do next.<br><br> One of the most important things that I've learnt from my experience is that life goes on. It has to. And you have to make it worthwhile. This is why I started running, cycling and swimming. Very slowly. This wasn’t about racing. This was about doing something for myself every day. It was hard. To motivate yourself, to fight when everything is gloomy. But after a while I could see change. It didn’t get easier but the distances got longer. The will to do them faster grew. I got stronger. I was doing this.<br><br> Then, in May 2011, I finished my first Triathlon. Sprint distance. 400m pool swim, 20km cycling, 5km running. I was still pretty slow. But that didn't matter - as long as I kept going. <br><br> HAGA have a programme called HAGA-DO! All service-user volunteer led, it encourages service-users to get involved in arts and sports projects, such as <a href="http://haga.co.uk/Current_Projects/Wheels_of_Recovery.html">Wheels of Recovery</a>, a cycling and fitness project, and a photography course, which will hopefully with the funding provided from my efforts, lead to an exhibition in November during <a href="http://www.alcoholpolicy.net/2012/04/forthcoming-2012-dates-events-alcohol-awareness-week-2012-implementing-the-local-strategy-events-nds.html">Alcohol Awareness Week</a> to raise awareness in the local community about the possibility of recovering from alcohol issues.<br><br> I’m going to HAGA-DO! this triathlon!<br> And I need you to sponsor me.</p>