Craig plans to cycle 500 miles this month to raise funds for The Forward Trust
A Margate dad-of-four has set himself a mission to cycle 500 miles this month the raise funds and awareness for drug and alcohol use support charity The Forward Trust.
Craig Harker, 39, wants to give back to the charity which has been helping him following long-standing issues with addiction.
He says The Forward Trust has helped him understand his battle with substances and helped him and his partner Jodie Pashley deal with relapses.
On his fundraiser, Craig says: “Ever since I can remember I have suffered with an addiction of some kind. Since finding The Forward Trust I now have more of an understanding of my own mind and why I have battled with substances my whole life.
“I got to the stage where I hit rock bottom, where I was pushing everyone away and I was heading down a slippery path. I realised that I had to change, that if I didn’t then I’d lose all my family, friends and support- even though at the time it felt like I didn’t have any and I wasn’t focusing on what was around me.
“I reached out to numerous charities for help, at the time mainly focusing on my mental health but if you are a sufferer with addiction then you will find it hard to have anyone take you seriously, or want to help you. That is when I found The Forward Trust.
“Not only does The Forward Trust help you understand your addictions, they also help support you overcome them with complete understanding as the staff have also been down similar pathways themselves. They can help with medication, counselling, day rehab, 1-1 and group meetings. They don’t aim for abstinence, they understand that relapses happen and work to help you find the triggers that make you reach for the substance.
“I am only human and I do make mistakes, I have come to terms with that. I hold up my hands and admit that I do relapse with my alcohol use, but The Forward Trust has worked with both me and my partner to show us ways that work for us, ways what help with how we both react to the relapse and to try and prevent it from happening again, to help maintain boundaries, to communicate and be honest about cravings or triggers.”
Since 2021, after Craig was taken to hospital with a suspected heart attack just days before his 34th birthday, he has been working to not only turn his life around but also help others through various fundraising challenges, including running 5k every day for a month and taking part in a Christmas fundraiser in aid of mental health charity Changing Minds Kent.
Fiancée Jodie says The Forward Trust has also been a help to her. She said: “This is a charity which has not only supported Craig during his journey but has also supported me as a partner- something that usually is not even thought about.
“Craig has suffered for a long time in silence, then when he did speak out there would always be something negative to make him step back.
“This fundraiser is to not only support the Forward Trust but also to support Craig in his mission to show others that it is ok to ask for help, you are not alone and there are others battling addictions too.”
Craig, who has already started his challenge, is hoping to hit a £500 target.
The Forward Trust
The Forward Trust delivers substance use, mental health, criminal justice, and employment services in more than 80 prisons and community settings across England and Wales. The Trust reached more than 35,000 people in 2024-2025.
Find more at: https://forwardtrust.org.uk/support/drug-alcohol/community-services