When we caught up with inspirational former Royal Marine, Jonathan Rees, just before Christmas, he was over a third of the way into his 32-week ‘Commando Don’t Drink Challenge’.
“I believe I’m over the hard bit,” he said, as he went on to breeze through Christmas, New Year and a milestone family birthday.
Now. still dry and on week 22, he could not have imagined how quickly all the positive things that had begun to turn his life around just a few weeks’ ago would be put to the ultimate test.
Jonathan explains: “When I thought this whole thing was a breeze and that the benefits would forever deny the temptation to have another drink, two weeks’ ago – at 33 years-old – my wife got diagnosed with cancer – another take away your breath moment.”
As a reminder of Jon’s challenge, he pledged to go alcohol-free for 32 weeks – the equivalent length of time it takes to train to become a Royal Marine – and raise funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity that supported him financially towards the cost of his own urgent cancer treatment operation that saved his life.
Jon continues: “Now raising money for the Royal Marines Charity that paid for my cancer treatment has become more testing than ever, I’ve never felt the need to take the edge off so prevalent.
The Irony of my wife getting cancer when I’m raising money for the cancer treatment I received isn’t lost on me.
I’ve been so angry and internally emotional yet all this hasn’t derailed my progress and I’m more determined than ever to complete what I’ve started.
I know that this challenge has made me better equipped to support my wife through this challenging time and I know that the money will help support my RM brothers in their hour of need.
I’m still on course to complete it successfully and look forward to the day I finish to send the Charity the money I’ve raised.
This challenge has become very difficult at the minute. Hopefully I’ll get the backing to make the target I set and make it all worthwhile.”