Some of you may remember I did some fundraising back in 2018, in memory of my Mum Morag Byron who sadly took her own life in 1998. A year of running events raised around £2k for SAMH.

This year marks 20 years since my Dad, Allan Byron, died at the age of 52, so I feel it’s only fair to do something in his memory too!

When I tell you that my Dad was an alcoholic, I know (unless you knew him) that you will immediately conjure up pictures of what an alcoholic looks like in your imagination. I know this from the comments and reactions I’ve had when I’ve talked about it. I want to tell you that this is not the reality. My Dad was great; he was my hero. He was clever and funny. He was  passionate about social justice and served as a councillor. He was politically minded and very active in the trade union. He struggled to know how to deal with some of this passion and feeling, and alcohol became a crutch. Over time he became more dependent and sadly it took him far too soon. Please re-think your preconceptions of alcoholism!

I have decided to run the Loch Ness Marathon in memory of my Dad. I had toyed with the idea of giving up alcohol for a year and decided a marathon would be easier. The irony is not lost on me, and I often think of how many times I probably asked my Dad why he couldn’t just stop drinking…..

It’s also a personal struggle for me, having vowed never to run a marathon. Finishing will be a massive achievement in itself, I’m trying not to get hung up on time.

 If I can raise a few pounds and possibly some awareness/change some misconceptions of alcohol addiction then it will all have been worthwhile x

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs is a national charity that supports anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use in Scotland. We give information and advice to many people and help them with confidence, communication, general wellbeing, and we link them into local support. We also help people recognise and understand the importance of looking after themselves.