Parish walker raising funds for Motiv8 wants to inspire others to 'take leap of faith'

Trainee support worker marking five years in recovery

A local man is getting ready to take on the Parish Walk as he marks five years in recovery from addiction.

Jason McKee struggled with addiction for almost thirty years, something he says nearly cost him his life several times leaving him 'isolated from everything and everyone' he loved.

Now a trainee support worker at Motiv8 Addiction Services, he wants to help raise money for the charity which helped him - all while breaking down the stigma of addiction.

Jason is one of the co-ordinators of the peer-led Naloxone Team at Motiv8.

Naloxone is a medication that can, in times of emergency, reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Jason says if it wasn't for Naloxone, or the care from the staff at Noble's Hospital, he would likely not be here today, adding he lost a close friend who would be here today if the medication was around.

'The stigma prevents brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and parents from coming forward for free kits that can prevent unnecessary deaths that leave our communities fractured and families broken.' - Jason McKee

When it comes to the Parish Walk, Jason says he's aiming to at least get to Peel in this year's event, and says training is going well.

But he told Manx Radio's Lewis Foster his main aim is getting the message out there that if you need support with addiction, it's available:

You can find Jason's JustGiving page HERE.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction you can find out more about Motiv8's services via the website or by freephone 0808 1624 627 or 627656.