After completing our Clouds House residential treatment programme in November 2019, Tom wanted to try and give back. In September of 2020, he completed the Cotswold 113; a half-Ironman distance triathlon held in (as the name suggests) the Cotswold's.
"Having left Clouds House in November 2019, I wanted to do something, anything to try and pay back some of the kindness and support I received during my stay. If I could raise any amount of money that would go towards helping someone begin the process of changing their life around then I'd be happy. I coupled this with the desire to once again be able to climb a flight of stairs without getting out of breath, so I duly signed up for a half-Ironman! I had done a bit of swimming, cycling and running over the years so how hard could it be?"
Tom was due to take on the Weymouth Ironman, which was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID. As he had already dedicated himself to training and raising funds for Action on Addiction, he decided to take on the Costwold 113. An Ironman consists of a 1.9km (1.2 mi) swim, a 90km (56 mi) cycle and a half marathon, 21km (13.1 mi). Tom says "my aim was to complete the distance in 6 hours or less; amazingly I completed it in 5hr 28mins!"
By putting himself out there on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Tom discovered that "incredibly people read my story and the donations came flooding in!" He raised an amazing £3857.55 as friends, family, work colleagues and strangers alike saw what he had been through and understood the desire to help others. He says "It meant so much to me to see everyone donate and gave me such a wonderful feeling of gratitude; oh, and I can climb a flight of stairs now without getting out of breath!"
If you are thinking of fundraising but don't know where to start, Tom has some advice. "If you haven't fundraised before (which I hadn't), I suggest you get yourself out there and do it. Don't be afraid to approach anyone and everyone, the worse they can do is not donate. Tell your story, people can be incredibly understanding if you're honest. It was part of my ongoing recovery and has helped immensely with my self-esteem and social anxiety."
If you would like to fundraise for Action on Addiction, contact our Fundraising team here.
"Action on Addiction is an incredible charity and has turned my life around, please help them in any way you can to help another addict in distress."