Story
Clouds House saves lives.
Not in an abstract way. Not in a “nice to have” way. In a real, tangible, day-to-day way — for people who genuinely cannot save themselves anymore.
I am one of those people.
Before Clouds House, my life had become very small and very dark. Addiction had stripped away my health, my peace of mind, my relationships, and my sense of purpose. There were days I couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t walk far without my heart racing, and couldn’t imagine a future that involved anything other than more pain or worse.
Clouds House gave me something I didn’t believe was possible anymore: time, care, structure, and hope.
It gave me a foundation for recovery when I had none.
An additional two weeks of treatment — funded through generosity I didn’t expect and could never forget — made the difference between simply surviving and truly beginning to recover. Those weeks helped save my life. Quite simply, I wouldn’t be here without them.
My story is just one of many. I was lucky — incredibly lucky — to get help when I did. There are countless others still struggling with addiction in silence, without support, without hope, and without knowing where to turn.
This climb is my way of giving something back.
In October 2026, I will climb Mount Kilimanjaro — the highest point in Africa — as a symbol of recovery, resilience, and what can happen when people are given the chance to rebuild their lives. During my addiction, walking or even standing up felt impossible. Reaching the summit is not about achievement or ego; it’s about gratitude.
I am funding the climb myself, so every penny raised will go to The Forward Trust, supporting the life-saving work of Clouds House, so others can be given the same chance I was.
Around £12,000 covers approximately one month of treatment at Clouds House — giving someone the time, care, and support that can save their life.
Recovery doesn’t end at treatment — it reaches families, futures, and lives yet to be rebuilt.
If this climb helps even one person take their first step out of addiction, it will be worth it.
Thank you for supporting Clouds House — and for helping save lives.
Thank you to Clouds, 12 Step Program, Friends and Family, Team Kilimanjaro, Abi for the posters and always my HP.