It’s hard to know how to start this when there is so much to say. I guess I’ll start at my personal beginning.

I have understood how alcohol can destroy families since around the age of 5 years old. I’ve seen how much it can change a person, turning a caring mother into someone who only cared about getting her next fix. A kind person into an empty one. I understand that alcohol does not just ruin the life of the dependent drinker, but breaks the hearts of those who love a dependent drinker. I didn’t deserve that, but I know my mom deserved way better too. I saw how miserable it made her, how it controlled her and shaped her every day.

That’s just a snapshot into my story. But it is only one of very many. It is estimated that roughly 1.5 million adults in the UK are currently experiencing dependent level drinking, whether diagnosed or not (Drinkaware). Include their loved ones in that and the number of people affected is a lot higher.

My mom and I are estranged now and alcohol is partly to blame, but for others the story can end very differently. In 2023 there were 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes in the UK, which is 4% higher than the year before (Alcohol Change UK). People deserve better.

Now working as a substance misuse nurse, I see stories like my mom’s every day. Except I also see people get support, validation and acceptance. And I know what a difference it can make. It’s what we need more of to keep families together and help people break what is such a vicious cycle.

I am running Paris Marathon 2026 for Alcohol Change UK, for all the people out there like my mom. Like my clients. And like my younger self who wanted to make it better but didn’t know how to help. Please donate whatever you can. Thank you 🫶🏼