My Father David Brand sadly passed away around the 19th February 2020. He was an amazing Human being who would do anything for anyone. Everyone always had kind words to say about this very caring, talented, intelligent man. I am so honoured to be his son and to call him my Dad.

Like many of us, Dave had his demons and after his brother Michael suddenly passed away he turned to alcohol to cope with the pain. This took a massive toll on the entire family. However, one thing never changed and that was the love I had for him. I admired everything he did, achieved and the way he looked at problems and solved them in the weirdest and gob smacking ways (a nappy(diaper), Jubilee Clip and Tin Foil got my car working again).

In 2018 I was rushed to hospital with pericarditis (infection around the heart) where I spent around 2 weeks. When I was discharged I suffered with severe Social Anxiety where I would hide in my bedroom from everyone. I was informed that I could no longer do any kind of intense workouts. I was restricted to walking the dogs and Yoga.

Now its 2020, I am planning to do 100 days of workouts in loving memory of my father who loved to run and work out all the time. Starting on the 5th April I will be doing a wide range of workouts including: DDPY, Insanity, T25, Cardio Machines, Weights, Football, Obstacle Course, Crossfit and Standard Yoga. I will be tracking everything and try and keep a daily log via Instagram and Facebook. It will be hard to keep going day after day but like my Dad I am a very stubborn or determined individual. Someday's I will feel like I don't want to carry on and give up but in these times I will remember how much my dad and many like him had to fight everyday with addiction and take each workout as they come.

After I learnt of his passing I felt I wanted to do some fundraising in memory of my wonderful father but could not decide who for until I spoke to the Sherborne Community Church.

In his later years Dad turned to religion to help cope with the world and on going pain of the illness he had. When he passed I learnt just how much the Sherborne Community Church had helped my Father in times of need. Showing him love, guidance and a sense of belonging. For all they did for him when maybe I could of done more I wanted to say thank you for everything they did for him and continue to do in my home town, I am so touched by what they do and made my Dad apart of their family.

Lastly, If you are reading this now and you are suffering from an addiction I want to stop the pain. I admire you, like my father he tried over and over to give up alcohol. I want you to remember something he told me when I was growing up. "It doesn't matter how many times you fall over, it matters how many times you get back up".