Woman raises thousands for children of alcoholics

Ceri Walker, pictured at her most recent fundraising event

A woman from Sussex whose mother died after a battle with alcoholism is raising awareness of her experiences in the hope of helping others.

Ceri Walker, from Hove, was just four when her mum Carolyn started drinking heavily, something which would have a profound affect on her.

And her latest efforts come as the number of deaths from alcohol reach a record high in the South East.

Figures show that in 2023 nearly 600 people in Kent, Sussex and Surrey died solely because of alcohol – a figure up 50% on a decade ago.

Furthermore, analysis by the Institute of Alcohol Studies suggests that 55-74-year-olds are now the heaviest-drinking age group.

If you are affected by any of these issues, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line here.

Ms Walker said: "My mum had got into a difficult relationship where there was domestic violence and she used alcohol to cope.

"She would drink big bottles of cider throughout the day and I'd find them hidden under her mattress or in the laundry basket."

The 42-year-old added that she was so embarrassed about the state of their house no one else was ever invited in, thereby hiding the problem from the outside world.

"When you live with a parent who drinks too much you just can't be a child - you feel like you're all alone in dealing with it," she said.

Ceri's late mum Carolyn

Her mum died of liver failure 21 years ago, and now Ceri is training to become a therapist

She regularly raises money for Nacoa, a charity that supports those affected by their parents' alcohol addiction.

She recently helped raise £2,000 by staging a sell-out concert in Brighton, featuring late singer Amy Winehouse's original band.

Ms Walker added: "I should say that, when she wasn't drinking, Mum was lovely and made me the person I am today.

"Everything I do is in memory of her."

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