James Dowling

I’d like to stop my binge drinking and raise some money for Macmillan Cancer support. My binge drinking became an issue when I joined the British Army at 16. I’d often drink to the point I’d lose all bodily functions, urinate myself and blackout. At the time this was played off as ‘Army Culture, it’s just what Army lads do’. When it reality it was the start of my issue with Alcohol. Whilst these behaviours continued for years of my service, It subsequently saw me discharged later down the line.

After entering civilian street and struggling to adapt to normal working life I chose to use cannabis everyday to block out the shame whilst resuming regular binging habits. Unfortunately a year into discharge my grandad was admitted to hospital with a perforation of stomach ulcers. This was very serious because it enables the bacteria that live in your stomach to escape and infect the lining of your abdomen known as peritonitis . At this point In peritonitis, an infection can rapidly spread into the blood. My grandad was admitted to ICU unbeknown to me where I later watched his machine turned off under the influence of drink and drugs.

My grandad was an influential character in my life that I didn’t see much that year. I put this down to being embarrassed and ashamed of my behaviours. This was a pivotal moment in my life redirecting my life into helping others and making it my mission to join the Ambulance service. I currently work for the NWAS and have decided to put the drink down for good, and start living my life. My Nan’s sister has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I’m doing this for her, my friends families who have been affected and the amazing people I meet in and out each day at work. This donation will go straight to MacMillan Cancer support.
(Please note I do not use cannabis anymore.)