My story started when I was 6 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD. My family tried lots of ways to support me with it but when I was 16 I started to self medicate using cannabis, which led to me being very troublesome.
My drug habit and my despicable actions in feeding it, ripped my family apart and caused a lot of pain and suffering for all of them.
My drug habit and my despicable actions in feeding it, ripped my family apart and caused a lot of pain and suffering for all of them.
I became a burden to anyone helping me and when I started trying harder drugs, my Mum sent me to Devon to live with my Dad.
That didn't work out and I became homeless and had to go to the council every morning to try to find accommodation for that night. If I couldn't get into a night stop programme, I had to sleep in a beach shelter or try to beg a friend to let me sleep on their sofa.
That didn't work out and I became homeless and had to go to the council every morning to try to find accommodation for that night. If I couldn't get into a night stop programme, I had to sleep in a beach shelter or try to beg a friend to let me sleep on their sofa.
After a couple of months of doing that, a support centre in Exeter told me about The Amber Foundation and what they could offer me.
I then had an interview with them and was offered a place at The Amber Foundation in Devon.
Only a matter of a day or two later I found myself moving into Amber and that was the life changing point for me!
I then had an interview with them and was offered a place at The Amber Foundation in Devon.
Only a matter of a day or two later I found myself moving into Amber and that was the life changing point for me!
I lived at Amber for about 11 months and I wouldn't change it for what its given me.
From the social skills of living with other people and working together, cleaning, cooking and various building projects, to the one to one counselling I had while I was there, it all helped to build my confidence in doing something with my life again!
I could go on and on about all the little things The Amber Foundation did for me while I was there, but its worth seeing it for yourself if you can!
From the social skills of living with other people and working together, cleaning, cooking and various building projects, to the one to one counselling I had while I was there, it all helped to build my confidence in doing something with my life again!
I could go on and on about all the little things The Amber Foundation did for me while I was there, but its worth seeing it for yourself if you can!
After The Amber Foundation felt I was ready to move on, they helped me get a place in supported accommodation in Exmouth near my family, which was fantastic! From there I went into various different jobs like care work, customer service and security.
Whilst living at Amber, my relationship with my family grew strong again. A turning point for me was when I saw my brother James was running the Florida Disney marathon, raising money for The Amber Foundation. Because in his words ''they helped me get my brother back''
This really touched me and at this point I thought to myself, I want to make all my family proud for everything I've done.
Whilst living at Amber, my relationship with my family grew strong again. A turning point for me was when I saw my brother James was running the Florida Disney marathon, raising money for The Amber Foundation. Because in his words ''they helped me get my brother back''
This really touched me and at this point I thought to myself, I want to make all my family proud for everything I've done.
It was always my dream to join the military, but I never thought I'd be able to, from when I'd been trouble and made bad decisions as a teenager.
My family were very supportive of my career choice and helped me in any way they could! My Mum, my Dad and especially my Aunty Lynn!
My family were very supportive of my career choice and helped me in any way they could! My Mum, my Dad and especially my Aunty Lynn!
The application process to the Royal Air Force was quite long, but I officially attested on the 14th September 2016 and have now completed my basic training, trade training and a year long apprenticeship.
The Amber Foundation didn't only help me while I was there but have continued to help me unknowingly to this day. The day to day structure, routine and discipline is not unlike Basic Training!The cleaning, the living with others and being more self sufficient all came in handy in my training and helped me graduate into my dream job..
Since I left The Amber Foundation in 2012 I have been back a few times visiting the residents to talk and see the staff there.
I've always wanted to give back but never had a great opportunity to do so.
So, when I finished training I heard about the Disney half marathon in Disneyland Paris and me being a huge Disney fan, thought 'here is a great opportunity!'
I started my Just Giving page and created a PowerPoint presentation about Amber, what they did for me and the reasons why I'm raising money for them.
I did various presentations in front of different work colleagues in the RAF, about Amber and my story, and that helped me raise money in addition to donations from family and friends .
I raised around 550 pounds last year but this year, in September, I've decided to do it again! I will be doing the Disney Challenge this time, which is 36km over 3 days, 1 5k run, 1 10k run and one half marathon.
I hope to far exceed the amount I raised last year!
I've always wanted to give back but never had a great opportunity to do so.
So, when I finished training I heard about the Disney half marathon in Disneyland Paris and me being a huge Disney fan, thought 'here is a great opportunity!'
I started my Just Giving page and created a PowerPoint presentation about Amber, what they did for me and the reasons why I'm raising money for them.
I did various presentations in front of different work colleagues in the RAF, about Amber and my story, and that helped me raise money in addition to donations from family and friends .
I raised around 550 pounds last year but this year, in September, I've decided to do it again! I will be doing the Disney Challenge this time, which is 36km over 3 days, 1 5k run, 1 10k run and one half marathon.
I hope to far exceed the amount I raised last year!
I will be doing more presentations at work about Amber, as well as contacting different businesses to gain sponsors!
If anyone here would kindly like to donate, or would sponsor me in exchange for wearing their logo etc, I'd be more than happy to do so!
As I say, I want to give back to the Amber Foundation for changing my life and every little donation helps those in need.
Everybody deserves a second chance and if I hadn't got mine, I wouldn't be where I am now.
If anyone here would kindly like to donate, or would sponsor me in exchange for wearing their logo etc, I'd be more than happy to do so!
As I say, I want to give back to the Amber Foundation for changing my life and every little donation helps those in need.
Everybody deserves a second chance and if I hadn't got mine, I wouldn't be where I am now.
I can now proudly say I'm a fully qualified tradesman in the Royal Air Force and I'm living my dream!
Now its time to help others achieve theirs!
Now its time to help others achieve theirs!