Matthew’s mission to give children the childhood they deserve
Hi, I’m Matthew. It’s both a pleasure and a privilege to be a member of Nacoa and to be raising funds for such an amazing cause. Here’s why:
My background is a colourful blend of science, performance, and management. After earning a degree in Earth Science from Aberystwyth University, I returned to my hometown of Margate, Kent, to work as a Manager for The Daily Telegraph.
Craving change, I moved to Spain to perform with First Choice for two amazing years before returning to the UK to pursue an MA in Musical Theatre.
After time on stage, I shifted back to the business world, gaining experience in operational management across West End theatres, hotels, and a London university.
My world turned upside down
Then came 2020. Like many, I faced a mental health crisis that turned my world upside down.
Once a confident and outgoing professional, I became anxious, isolated, and dependent on alcohol. Over time, I lost not only the life I knew, but a sense of identity and purpose.
Recovery was not easy. Sadly, where I hoped to save myself and my family, many in my family before me had tried and failed.
Healing through community
My journey took me through residential rehab, hospital admissions, and eventually to a specialist service in West London, where I first discovered the heart of my recovery.
What I found there was more than just a service; it was a community — a space where healing happens through shared experience, compassion, and support.
Most importantly, this new family helped me to become the best version of myself which, in turn, returned me to my own family as a brother, son, and of course a father.
Power of people
I’ve seen both the devastation addiction can cause and the extraordinary transformation that recovery can bring.
The strength of this process lies in the collective power of people — from doctors and families to, most vitally, those families with lived experience of addiction.
Nacoa understands this as well as anyone from the perspective of the family, supporting children who are suffering in silence because of a parent’s drinking.
They believe every child deserves a happy, safe, and meaningful childhood – and so do I.
Reaching out to children through powerful initiatives, including Nacoa’s inspiring Schools Programme, which I hope to be proudly joining as a volunteer.
Wounds of addiction
My battle with alcoholism cost me everything – my health, my home, my sense of self.
But the deepest wounds were those endured by my beautiful daughters. The trauma they experienced is something no child should ever have to carry.
Unlike over 10,000 lives lost to addiction each year, I survived – just.
And now, I’ve made it my life’s mission to give back and to help others find the light in their darkest moments, and the children who suffer at the hands of this family disease.
Today, at that same specialist centre that helped me, I work for ‘Build on Belief’ (BoB) in association with the NHS, as a Support Worker. I volunteer my time to support local recovery groups in Hillingdon and help train GPs in understanding addiction.
And now, I’m taking one bold step further.
Mission to give children the childhood they deserve
On 8th August 2025, I will be throwing myself – quite literally – into this mission by undertaking the UK’s highest tandem skydive at 15,000ft with North London Skydiving to raise funds for a cause that is deeply personal to me.
This is where I need your help.
I’ve launched this fundraising page on JustGiving, and I’m asking – from the bottom of my heart – for your support.
Your sponsorship, no matter how big or small, will go directly to helping Nacoa reach more children, provide more lifelines, and change more futures.
Together, we can help rewrite the story for a generation of children who didn’t choose this, but who deserve so much more.
Please sponsor my skydive and help me raise awareness, funds, and hope.
Let’s give children the childhood they deserve.
With courage, purpose, and gratitude,
