On the 9th of May 2020 a group of us will be walking 26 miles around The Peak District 6 Dales Circuit to raise money for NACOA.

My Dad passed away very suddenly in 2016 due to alcohol abuse.

It had a huge impact on me both as a child as an adult. Growing up in an unpredictable environment where there is often physical and emotional abuse is a struggle. Keeping it all secret is hard, isolating and lonely. It affects your relationships with others in childhood and adult life. Those who really know me know that my experiences were on the more extreme end and that I know first hand how alcohol abuse can lead to domestic violence and physical violence.

It impacts negatively on your self esteem and self worth. 70 percent of children hide the problem from the outside world as they are isolated or frightened with no one to turn to. It makes them more likely to develop anxiety, depression and consider suicide. 

Even after the parent has passed away the effects are long lasting. Often children of alcoholics will deal with feelings of guilt, regret, shame, anger and sadness which are hard to cope with. 

I never got the relationship with my Father that I hoped for and unfortunately I couldn't save him from this horrible disease. Seeing glimpses of the man and Father he could have been was frustrating. Even though he caused alot of hurt and pain to many people he was still my Dad and I love and miss him.

Although I couldn't save my Dad I am passionate about giving others the chance to change and ensuring they get the support they need.

Please make a donation no matter how small to NACOA to help support children of alcoholics. NACOA provides information, advice and support to these children and reminds them they are not alone. NACOA gives hope for a brighter future.