A travel agent is running 280-kilometres from Bristol to London this weekend.
Tom Harding, 31, who lives in Kensal Rise in north west London, will be running the equivalent of seven marathons between Thursday and Sunday to raise money and awareness for Alcohol Change UK – a charity working towards a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.
Two years ago Harding lost his sister Katy to alcohol poisoning when she was just 30-years-old and believes that all levels of society need to raise more awareness around the dangers and consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.
He said: “I’m feeling pretty good for Thursday – I’ve done a lot of training and the training has been an amazing chance to really think about Katy.
“I’ve never done anything quite like this but I enjoy running so I think that helps and now I can associate running with Katy which is nice.”
Harding will set off from the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, where Katy lived, and will finish at Hammersmith Bridge in south west London.
Harding plans to run the first 270-kilometres on his own, and a group of friends and his wife will join him at Richmond Bridge for the last 10-kilometres on Sunday.
Richard Piper, the chief executive of Alcohol Change UK said: “We’re immensely grateful to Tom for working with us to create a world free from the harm caused by alcohol.
“This huge challenge is an inspiring tribute to Tom’s sister Katy, and we know will help thousands of people consider and change their relationship with alcohol.”
Harding explained how when compared to other addictions, the accessibility of alcohol is a huge problem, and it’s so easy to slip up.
He explained how every minute of the day, people battling with alcoholism are trying so hard not to walk into the supermarket and buy a drink.
When there’s an offer on, they can walk into the shop and buy their drug of choice for £4 which, in Harding’s eyes, doesn’t seem very fair.
Furthermore, there are not any real health warnings on alcohol packaging and, in the UK specifically, there is a mainstream culture of excessive drinking.
Harding thinks that a less-glamorised approach to the marketing and sale of alcohol is a vital step in tackling the issue from a societal level.
On a more domestic level, Harding suggests having those difficult conversations.
He explained how it’s far too easy for people to turn a blind-eye when they notice their friend or family member is having one too many drinks, and Harding wants to encourage more people to have those upfront conversations as soon as possible.
He explained: “The impact of addiction is huge and it’s the ripple effect of somebody suffering, I don’t think people are really aware of that.
“I was so angry with the situation and angry with alcohol. This run gives me the chance to productively make a difference.”
Alcoholism is still seen as a taboo subject amongst many families and friendship groups, but stepping in that bit earlier and opening up conversation is key.
Harding has already raised over £11,000 and is almost half-way to meeting their fundraising goal.
For more information please find Tom’s Just Giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/runforkaty or for more information on Alcohol Change UK: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/
