I wanted to tell you more about my friend Paul Blair who is leading the team climbing the 21 Peaks in a few weeks.
Paul and I were in Bullingdon prison together and it was Peter, our Chairman, who sentenced us both. This photo is the moment Paul met Peter again for the first time since the court room.
Paul experienced sexual abuse as a small child. By 12 he was selling drugs, believing himself to be a part of an untouchable gang who had become his new family. His highs were high, but his lows were low and by 17 he found himself in prison. He tells us “I couldn’t bear to be in society. I was always looking over my shoulder to see who would attack me next.”
In 2014 Peter sentenced him for conspiracy to supply a class A drug. It was a serious enough offence for him not to get the grace of the community order that I had received. Our paths crossed over the years, and he's always been a friend.
He tells us more about why he wants to help us:
"I always thought I'd be in prison, always selling drugs. I was the man relapsing every two weeks. I was always starting again, and again, and again. I never imagined it would be any different but eventually I got it, and now I run my own business, I lead a boxing group, a cold water swimming group and Abingdon Extreme Fundraisers.
The consistency of training has always helped me because it gives me a routine and a focus. It helps keep me on the straight and narrow. I remember hearing how somebody in the community didn't have the funds to pay for a grave headstone and I thought 'I can help with that!'. Now a lot of people with needs come and tell me about them, and if I can I help. I've probably helped around 25 good causes and my group do a fundraising challenge every month.
The craziest thing I've ever done is run up Ben Nevis in my pants. My team has run the 3 Peaks in 19 hours. We rode the 140km Ridgeway on old 'granny bikes' with bells and baskets - that was fun! Our last challenge was to build a raft and float down the River Wye over 2 days for 40 miles. Even as we faced rapids with people begging us to get out, we carried on. That's what recovery teaches you - to be very fixed on the goal inspite of temptations.
My advice to someone struggling? It's the same advice as I'l be giving to Tony and the lads as we're climbing the 21 Peaks. Never give up. You're far stronger than you think. Find the right people to have by your side, pick yourself up and keep on going."
Please celebrate all that Paul has achieved by making a donation - however small.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/21peaks-2days-1697746991338?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2F21peaks-2days-1697746991338&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
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