I've decided to run the Sheffield Half Marathon and raise money for the Sheffield Recovery Community Drop-in.

Sheffield Recovery Community started about 2 years ago as an informal support group online for individuals in recovery from either their own, or a loved ones drug and/or alcohol addiction. It's grown into an amazing network that provides friendship, support, advice and encouragement to anyone in, or thinking about recovery. Sheffield Recovery Community is run by people in recovery, for people in (or contemplating) recovery. Everyone gives their time on a voluntary basis and together they've put recovery on the map locally.

In October 2016, Sheffield Recovery community launched their drop-in in collaboration with a local boxing club in order to utilise the benefits of sport and fitness in the recovery journey, as well as provide a safe place for people to come together for support, friendship and advice. Since opening their doors the weekly sessions have been a huge success, to the point where they're just about to launch a second weekly session.

Any money raised will go towards helping run the drop in, maintain equipment, provide refreshments, and kit people out with basic gym gear so they can start to use the benefits of sport within their recovery.

Personal story:

Recovery isn't just about overcoming an addiction, its about rebuilding life: working through the issues, re-learning how to love oneself, taking one step at a time, prioritising mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Recovery is possible! What I love about the drop-in is that it combines the benefits of sport and fitness training into recovery. Personally, I've never struggled with addiction, however I'm 4 years down the road on my own journey of recovery from PTSD. Although I'm now well, I still have to regularly prioritse self-care and use running to help with this. I'm hoping to be able to use something that's helped me to give something back and help others.