Nacoa supporter Emma Hatfield has completed the amazing feat of the Winter Fan Dance, raising over £1,200. 
The trek is described by the Special Forces Fit as ‘a gruelling 24km SAS Selection test march staged over Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. The infamous march is the world’s oldest Special Forces test and is considered the yardstick of a candidate’s potential to perform well on Test Week and ultimately pass the SAS & SBS Selection course.’
This amazing sponsored event was run honouring Emma’s much-loved mother, who died from her struggles with alcohol. Emma reflected in her message to us that her experience of parental alcoholism profoundly affected her relationship with her Mum:
‘2 years ago my brother, sister and I lost our mum due to alcohol addiction. This horrible disease took hold of her and stole from us the mum she so desperately wanted to be. Since her death I have wanted to complete a challenge in her memory but was unsure what to do and the cause to do it for.’
Inspired by the memory of her mother, and a desire to help others in similar circumstances, Emma said that she ‘did it in aid of Nacoa, who 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.
‘Due to the amazing family we have this isn’t a charity that we needed to use however there are thousands of children who are in desperate situations and need their help and support, I believe this charity really makes a difference to children’s lives and I am proud to help support the work they do.’
Emma is absolutely right. Nacoa’s free and confidential telephone, email, letter and message board helpline is at the heart of all we do, providing information, understanding and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.
The work we do is all about planning for a more positive future, creating an opportunity for children, young people and adults to see that the world can be different from the one they have always known, and they can make positive choices for themselves, irrespective of whether their parents continue to drink
.
Nacoa runs entirely on voluntary donations and membership subscriptions, and we would not be able to answer the 30,000 messages we get every year without the kind words and actions of fundraisers like Emma. Every penny of Emma’s donations will go directly to the helpline, and ensure that a trained and compassionate counsellor is available for all children facing these extraordinarily tough and confusing lives at home.
If you would like to find out more about fundraising for Nacoa through a sponsored event, please take look at our Get Involved page for more details.
