I'm doing a fundraiser! I wasn't sure exactly what to write, but I had some ideas and thoughts - so I asked ChatGPT to help me out. It came up with some phrasing I probably wouldn't have chosen, but it uses the emotive and evocative language helpful for explaining a poorly understood cause. Here's the edited version:

In the quiet moments before dawn, as the world lay still and the streets glistened with the promise of a new day, I laced up my running shoes and stepped out into the cool morning air. It was more than just another training run; it was a step toward change, a step toward hope, and a step toward a future free from the devastating grip of alcohol.

As I embarked on this journey, little did I know that my love for running would become a beacon of light for a cause close to my heart - the life-changing work of Alcohol Change UK.

I am preparing to bid a temporary farewell to my role at Alcohol Change UK, and what better way to mark the end of this chapter than by dedicating a run to the cause, and an entrenched, heartbreaking issue, that touches so many lives in profound and devastating ways. Alcohol, in all its allure and ubiquity, has an insidious power to affect people and communities, and it had made its mark on mine as well.

I remember the night when alcohol's violent side was most obvious, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a drunken brawl on the street, a senseless, random act that resulted in broken bones and a metal plate (the only bone I’ve ever broken!). I can only imagine that if less alcohol was involved that night may have turned out differently.

But that event doesn’t reflect the deepest reaches and harms possible with alcohol – it’s just one insight, one of many, a reminder of the countless lives that have been scarred by the effects of a drinking culture gone too far.

It wasn't just my own chance encounter with violence that fuelled my passion for this cause. It was, and is, the countless stories I've heard over my four years at Alcohol Change UK, increasingly more people that I know, and the loved ones who have suffered. Alcohol has taken and devastated lives, leaving a trail of heartbreak in its wake. It's a crisis that we can't ignore, and it's a crisis that Alcohol Change UK is addressing head-on.

Alcohol Change UK is not just a charity; it's a beacon of hope for those caught in addiction, or people who might be drinking just a bit too much. It's a voice for those who have lost their own, and it's a guiding light toward a brighter future, and a healthier relationship with alcohol. With their dedicated team and innovative approach, they are making a profound impact for individuals and society as a whole.

Where alcohol harms are the most acute, hidden, and stigmatised (and so where getting help is so much more difficult), is where much of the charity's focus lies - something I've been proud to be a part of.

My journey started with a 10km race – I recently ran the Asics London 10k – followed by the Royal Parks half marathon on 8th October. Each step, each breath, and each bead of sweat carries with it a message of change, a testament to the power of collective action. As I run, I carry the stories of those who couldn't join me, the dreams of those who wish for a better tomorrow, and the hopes of those who believe in a world free from the clutches of alcohol.

But this journey isn't just about running; it's about creating lasting change. It's about raising funds to support Alcohol Change UK's vital work, ensuring that they can continue to help those in need and strive for a future where alcohol-related harm is a thing of the past.

I run for those who can't, for those we've lost, and for the generations to come. Join me on this journey, be a part of this change, and let's turn the page on the devastating effects of alcohol. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can support Alcohol Change UK in their mission to create a brighter future for all.

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