Join Me in Walking for Children of Alcoholics: A 90-Mile Challenge to Raise Awareness and Funds for NACOA

Hi, I’m Josh Connolly, and for the past 10 years, I’ve been a proud volunteer and now an ambassador for NACOA (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics). This incredible charity has changed my life, and I’ve always wanted to give back in a meaningful way.

To mark a decade with NACOA, I’m taking on a challenge I’ve never done before: walking over 90 miles from my home to Parliament in just three days, completely alone.

Why This Walk Matters

Children of alcoholics are left to suffer in silence. One in five children in the UK grows up in a home with parental alcohol misuse, yet there is no specific government funding allocated to support them. They are left alone to navigate trauma, instability, and the lifelong impact of growing up in these environments.

This walk is symbolic of that isolation. I’ll be doing it alone, walking long hours—including through the dark, in the middle of winter—to highlight the reality that these children face every single day.

But this isn’t just about raising awareness. This walk has a mission.

Delivering a Letter to Parliament

Along my journey, I will be carrying a letter written by a young girl named Amelie, who has bravely spoken out, asking Parliament to properly support children of alcoholics. When I reach London, I will deliver her letter to 10 Downing Street and then attend the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting for Children of Alcoholics Week at the House of Commons.

How You Can Help

I am aiming to raise £1,000 to support NACOA in their vital work providing life-changing support to children who feel unseen, unheard, and unsupported. Your donation—no matter the amount—will go directly towards helping these children access the help they desperately need.

This will be a tough challenge. It will push me physically and mentally. But it’s nothing compared to what children of alcoholics go through every day.

If you believe every child deserves to be heard, to be supported, to be given a chance—please donate today.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

Donate now and help change a child’s life.