A MAN who lost his business, his home, his marriage, his children and nearly his life after a 30-year struggle with alcohol addiction is taking on a gruelling 24-hour fundraiser to help others.
Rich Price, of Rhuddlan, is the community development officer for charity North Wales Recovery Communities, based at Penrhyn House Bangor.
In March, the charity purchased Hillgrove School, located in the same town.
Rich, 49, who has been sober for four years, is taking on the 24 hours South - The Offa's Dyke Ultra on May 13 to raise money for the new venture.
The former private school is set to be turned into a residential centre helping people recover from alcohol and drugs misuse.
Rich, who has re-married, said: "I was in denial about the extent of my drink problem for a number of years, despite attempts to stop, I would always revert back to picking up a drink which was getting earlier in the day as the enjoyment stopped. Eventually, I lost my business, our family home, my marriage and my children.
"I purchased a caravan in Porthmadog with some inheritance in 2018 and isolated there, drinking morning noon and night, consuming two to three bottles of vodka daily. I knew I was dying but simply couldn't stop. This ended on December, 9 2018 by which time, I had lost the ability to walk, was losing blood, and thankfully, had run out of money.
"A call to my brother resulted in another emergency admission.
"The first 24 hours were touch and go. I had eight pints of blood transfused, and surgery to repair my oesophagus. I came round to the news I had 24 to 48 hours to live.
"The increased to two weeks, then four, then two to four months, four months and now - here we are. I am now happily re-married, have a wonderful job and run ultramarathons in my spare time."
Rich was aided by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and North Wales Recovery Communities.
"I gained a real purpose to live free from alcohol," he said.
"I had to put in a lot of work [to get to the stage I am]. From day one, I didn't sit still. I would leave the hostel at 8am and get back at 9pm, travelling to meetings and recovery groups. I had a new zest for life and started to realise the importance of the 'need for change' and trusting the process outlined by my peers.
"I received an incredible amount of none judgemental support from the people of North Wales."
Hillgrove was purchased with support of Watkin Property Ventures, headed by Mark Watkin-Jones and his partner Susan.
The introduction was made through the Hogan Group who remain as one of the charity's key supporters.
Rich said: "Our current home, Penrhyn House, is in a really poor state of repair. Hillgrove has huge potential for us to expand our current occupancy, whilst providing in house training and education for our residents and community members.
"Work started on transforming the building on March 27. It is estimated it will take nine months for phase one.
"It will undergo a huge amount of refurbishment to get it fit for purpose [this is stage one].
"Further stages will allow us to offer future training, education and development which will also integrate the local community and other third sector services."
Rich, who married Sian in September last year and has two son and two step-daughters, took up jogging in lockdown.
He entered his first trail Half Marathon at the beginning of 2022 and a number of 50k Ultra Marathons have followed.
"I have signed up to the '24hrs South' ultra for a number of reasons," Rich continued.
"A - because we are trying to raise money through run-2-recover.com for a new wellbeing centre at Hillgrove and B, because I have overcome some massive challenges in the past four years, but this will push me to the limit.
"I am a sucker for challenge.
"I would just like to do my family and my recovery network proud. Regardless of what it takes, I will never be able to repay what I have received.
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"I'm really blessed to have gone through what I have, come out the other side and do what I do in respect of running."
The race, which starts in Prestatyn, is organised by OutFit Personal Fitness Ltd.
Runners will journey South along the National Trail, with well stocked feed stations and break options along the way - until the 24 hours are up and a halt is brought to proceedings.
Any readers wishing to support Rich can donate by clicking here.
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