Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) is a Bristol based charity founded in 1990 to provide help and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking. We believe that every child has the right to a happy childhood and to live a creative and meaningful life but when drink is the family secret they are more likely to experience family violence, neglect and other problems in their own homes.

A little from Tess:

As people are told to Stay Home, Stay Safe, some children don't have a safe home. 

They are now isolated more than ever with a parent who drinks too much. These Children need extra support through this time. 

I would like to Help NACOA raise some extra funds to enable them to keep supporting Children throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

As you look at your family safe at home, imagine the hell that some children are experiencing right now. 

I was one of those Children. As soon as a lockdown in the UK was announced I thought of those Children like me. Now, at home with their parent or parents, living through hell. It was my Dad that was (and still is) an alcoholic. My Mum is and always has been amazing.

I walked away 19 years ago, and I haven't had contact with him since. It has taken me 19 years to accept that alcoholism is an illness.

So why 14 hours?

I was 14 years old and it was the 14th April when I said I would never return, so I thought 14 would be the hours of Yoga I would do to represent that. 

It's going to be tough! I want it to be tough, I don't believe in asking for sponsorship for something easy! 

I will be streaming my challenge on Facebook Live and Instagram, so please log on through the day and keep me going with positive messages.. and a kick up the bum! 

I hope to even have some people join in with me on Instagram!

I must state this isn't a lesson, this is me personally practicing for 14 hours, however some team moral is always welcome! 

Some facts to help you understand NACOA's fundraising needs:

• £10 pays for 5 information packs to be sent out to professionals working with children of alcohol-dependant parents
• £60 pays for their free phone calls for a week
• £400 pays to train a new volunteer helpline counsellor and,
• £800 keeps the helpline running for 6 weeks

I will start at 7am on Saturday 2nd May and finish at 9pm, hopefully to a HUGE slice of cake and mug (not cup, MUG) of tea :-)

Let's give some hope to the Children that are really scared right now.

If you can spare anything I know it would mean so much to NACOA to help them through this time.

Thank you so much xxx