Rachel set for marathon challenge in memory of her mum

Rachel Acamon-Carbonelli, a health care referrer with the Trust, is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for Action on Addiction when she runs the London Marathon next month in memory of her mother.

The mother-of-two from Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, is raising money for the charity after her mum Bernadette Carbonelli died in 2002 following a long fight with drug addiction.

The 37-year-old, who works at the Trust’s Waveney depot in Gorleston, said she had been “overwhelmed” by the generosity of colleagues who have supported her charity quest.

Rachel has worked for the service for 12 years and said it would be emotional running the marathon on 26^th April. The Great Yarmouth Roadrunners member added that she wanted to help other families by supporting a charity that funds research, treatment, family support, education and training into addiction.

She said: “Addictions ruin the lives of not only the individual but of all the loved ones around them, often resulting in feelings of anger, despair, guilt and helplessness.

“Slowly, we as a family witnessed the strong pull of heroin destroy mum’s health and eventually her life. After I had my first child my mum chose to go to rehab as she so desperately wanted to get clean and be a positive part in our lives, on the day she left for rehab we hugged and told her how proud we were of her. That was the last time we would see her. With her health being in such a bad way she rapidly deteriorated.

“With the help of charities like Action on Addiction my mum was given a lifeline, and although only for a short time, she was supported in taking control to change her life, something she never felt she had, and something we as a family will always be so proud of her for and grateful she was given that chance.”

To sponsor Rachel, please visit her JustGiving page.

Published 6th April 2015