A RECOVERING alcoholic and mum of two from Berkeley is to run the London Marathon for an addiction charity after signing up before running a single mile.

Rachael Goatman, 44, turned her life around in the middle of 2015 when she decided to ditch drink and took up running.

Following a series of failed attempts to nip her addiction in the bud, the decision to run was the catalyst for a staggering transformation, with Rachael losing two-stone and returning to good health in a matter of months – all while remaining on the wagon.

Rachael – who lives in Berkeley with her husband, two sons and whippet – struggled with addiction to alcohol for 12 years before resolving to kick the habit in May last year.

Speaking to the Gazette about the difference between this decision to stop and earlier attempts, Rachael said acceptance was the key difference.

“A big difference was me finally accepting and believing that I was an alcoholic where before I would have always looked for somebody worse than me” she said.

“Then in June I did a sponsored walk for meningitis from Thornbury to Berkeley, which was horrendous, but it made me decide to do something I had always talked about – to go down to London and do the marathon.

“I wouldn’t let my fitness down now, and I will not give up on the marathon no matter what. If I have to complete it on my hands and knees I will complete it.”

Her road to recovery, coupled with joining Dursley Running Club and participating in a number of shorter runs, has helped boost Rachael's confidence for the London Marathon in April.

Rachael will complete the marathon to raise money for Addaction, which, as a national drug and alcohol treatment charity, is close to her heart.

The response to Rachael’s fundraising has so far been overwhelmingly positive and she has already received £800 of a £2,000 target. She praised the people of Berkeley and the surrounding area for their generosity.

“We went out carol singing in the four pubs in Berkeley one evening before Christmas and managed to get £220. People have been really generous.”

A race night will be held at The Malt House in Berkeley to help boost Rachael’s fundraising for Addaction on Saturday, February 6.

To make a donation to the charity on Rachael’s behalf go to virginmoneygiving.com/rachaelgoatman.