I’m running the Cheshire Spring Half Marathon alongside my brother Alex on 15th March 2026 in memory of my Dad, who passed away on 2nd April 2020 after battling alcoholism and substance abuse for most of his adult life.

Growing up, my brothers and I witnessed first-hand the silent damage addiction can cause. It doesn’t just affect one person, it ripples through an entire family. We saw the gradual changes, the struggles behind closed doors, the moments of hope followed by setbacks, and the emotional toll it takes on everyone who loves that person. Alcoholism is often dismissed, normalised, or even joked about in society, yet it is a serious and life-threatening disease that can quietly take everything from someone: their health, their relationships, and ultimately, their life.

Losing our Dad at a young age has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever faced. There are so many moments in life where his absence is felt - milestones, achievements, difficult days when you just want advice, reassurance, or even just a hug from your parent. Me and my brothers have grown up carrying that gap, knowing there are memories we’ll never get to make and conversations we’ll never get to have. We’ve missed out on the guidance he could have given and the simple presence of a father watching us grow into the men we’re becoming. That loss doesn’t fade; it just becomes something you learn to carry with you every day. This run represents me achieving something in the presence of heartbreak - but also shows my amazing Mum how her being there for us has moulded us into people who are dedicated to being stronger individuals and wanting to achieve great things.

By running this half marathon, I want to honour his memory, acknowledge the pain that alcoholism can cause not just to the individual but to their entire family, and help prevent others from going through the same heartbreak. Too many families suffer in silence, and too many young people grow up without a parent because addiction wasn’t recognised and treated as the deadly disease it truly is.

I’m proud to be raising money for Alcohol Change UK, a charity working to reduce alcohol harm and support those affected by addiction. Every donation will help fund education, prevention, and life-changing support for individuals and families facing the same struggles we did.

This run is for my Dad and for every family who knows the pain of losing someone to alcoholism.