This year (for the first time ever), I am going to take part in sober for October - in the hope to raise awareness of mental health illness and alcohol addiction of young men (in particular the west of Scotland), in memory of my brother Darren who passed away age 30 on 19th August 2020.

This is still very raw for me and my family; and whilst I do have a lot to say on this subject - I’m still dealing with my own grief, so this isn’t as in depth as I would have liked (but it will come).

Darren struggled for much of his adult life with mental health struggles and alcohol addiction. To say he was an alcoholic is very much true, but it didn’t define him. He was so much more than this. He was funny, caring, sarcastic, daft. He had a hold on me like no other ever has, or ever will. He fought so hard against his illness - because he knew he was more than that. Darren sought help time and time again. He went to doctors, hospitals, mental health specialists. Each time he was promised the world, yet received very little (of which I will cover at another time).

There is a series of pictures I share often (below). It is Darren one year ago in September 2019, for his 30th birthday. He was undergoing treatment at a charity called The Haven. The Haven is a Christian charity providing a residential programme for men with alcohol or drug addictions. They believe that every individual is of value and that every individual has the capacity to change with the appropriate support, giving them the opportunity to have a more positive future, free from addiction. They not only helped Darren become his true self (just look at that sparkle in his eye), but they gave me, my mum and my dad - our Darren back. He was happy, healthy, full of wisdom and spoke with such clarity and sense which we hadn’t seen in some time. They have given us memories to cherish forever. They also gave Darren hope, which he didn’t lose.

It is for this reason I am raising money for this charity. I am doing ‘Sober for October’, and because this should be doable (how could I expect Darren to not drink, and not be able to do just one month!) I am also climbing a Munro every weekend of October. I really hope you can support this, no Matter your beliefs, to give other families the opportunity of seeing their loved one in the same amazing place we seen Darren, really means the world.

Our love for Darren is never ending, and there is so much more to this which I will share and show how Darren was failed by our local services. But for now, I want to spread awareness and raise money for a cause my brother was so passionate about. Please if you can, donate.

Thank you to my friends who are doing this journey with me. We usually meet up for wine, so October 2020 will be bringing out a new us!!