My fiancé Craig Harker has supported numerous charities with fundraisers, events etc and this year he will be cycling 500miles to support The Forward Trust. This is a charity which has not only supported Craig during his journey but has also supported me as a partner- something that usually is not even thought about.

Craig has suffered for a longtime in silence, then when he did speak out there would always be something negative to make him step back.

I have created this fundraiser to help not only support the forward trust but also to support Craig in his mission to show others that it is ok to ask for help, you are not alone and there are others battling addictions too.

A few words from Craig:

Ever since I can remember I have suffered with an addiction of some kind. Since finding the Forward trust I now have more of an understanding of my own mind and why I have battled with substances my whole life.

I got to the stage where I hit rock bottom, where I was pushing everyone away and I was heading down a slippery path. I realised that I had to change, that if I didn’t then I’d loose all my family, friends and support- even though at the time it felt like I didn’t have any and I wasn’t focusing on what was around me.

I reached out to numerous charities for help, at the time mainly focusing on my mental health but if you are a sufferer with addiction then you will find it hard to have anyone take you seriously, or want to help you. That is when I found the forward trust.

Not only does The Forward Trust help you understand your addictions they also help support you overcome them with complete understanding as the staff have also been down similar pathways themselves, they can help with medication, counselling, day rehab, 1-1 and group meetings. They don’t aim for abstinence they understand that relapses happen and work to help you find the triggers what makes you reach for the substance.

Now I admit that I am only human and that I do make mistakes, I have come to terms with that. I hold up my hands and admit that I do relapse with my alcohol use, but the forward trust has worked with both me and my partner to show us ways that work for us, ways what help with how we both react to the relapse and to try and prevent it from happening again, to help maintain boundaries, to communicate and be honest about cravings or triggers.