Man runs for sister who 'drank herself to death'

Mr Harding said his sister struggled with her mental health, and was alcohol-dependent from the age of 15

A man whose sister "drank herself to death" aged 30, has run the equivalent of seven marathons to raise awareness of alcoholism.

Tom Harding ran 115 miles (185km) from Bristol to London to raise money for charity in memory of Katy Harding.

He said she was an "intelligent and funny person" but struggled with her mental health and from the age of 15, alcohol was her dependency.

There was no funeral due to his family's "devastation" and "taboo", so Mr Harding said the run would give him closure.

Mr Harding said his sister Katy was "intelligent and funny"

"She tried to quit and went to rehab multiple times but her addiction was too strong," he said.

"I went for drinks with her knowing the situation but you don’t want to talk about it.

"Alcoholism impacts families in ways people don’t understand. At times I was on my sister's side against my parents."

Tom Harding ran from Bristol to London in memory of his sister

He added: "Being able to do this run for my sister has given me massive amounts of power, it has been difficult in the last few years to accept and forgive her for what happened and this is the closure I have been looking for."

Mr Harding said he wanted drinking culture and policy in the UK to change.

"My sister literally drank herself to death," he said.

Mr Harding ran 115 miles (185km) from Bristol to London

"The UK is a very alcohol-dominated environment.

"Health warnings on alcohol, its accessibility and how it's marketed need to change.

"I do not suffer from alcoholism but because of Katy, every time I see a Christmas advert that has booze in, I have a horrible reaction.

Mr Harding said completing the race helped give him the closure he needed

"[The message], 'you've got to drink to have fun at Christmas', it's just everywhere.

"It's just insensitive."

Mr Harding has so far raised £17,746 towards a target of £25,000 for the charity Alcohol Change.

He said the run and the fundraiser was his "celebration of her".

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