A RECOVERING alcoholic who pulled himself back from the brink of death will walk five miles carrying a huge log for charity.

Lee Rosier, of Gwynne Road, Dovercourt, will tackle the daunting challenge in memory of his father-in-law, Bob Newbury, who died six years ago after a battle with dementia.

Lee, 47, decided to use the world around him as his own gym after overcoming alcoholism two years ago.

On his road to recovery, he found a 30kg tree log while in the park during the summer and took it home, sculpted it and used it as a weight.

“I was very ill myself, I was a full-blown alcoholic and I ended up in hospital almost dead,” he said.

“It was selfish and self inflicted, I’m not looking for any sympathy.

“It took about 13 months to recover and I thought: ‘Right, what can I do to help a good cause?’

“It’s like a war and this is the final battle – then I know I will have redeemed myself.”

Lee will walk a circuit from Dovercourt through Ramsey with the heavy log resting on his shoulder to raise money in memory of Bob, who he and his wife cared for during his illness.

We looked after him for about six months until the stage he had to go into hospital for full care,” he added.

“This involved 24-hour attention and he had no idea who his family was.

“It seemed to start off slowly then all of a sudden it was shocking how fast he deteriorated.

“It’s a horrible, aggressive, evil disease and takes away your life.”

The trek, in aid of Dementia UK, will take place on December 24, starting and finishing at the Park Pavillion in Dovercourt.

To sponsor Lee, visit the post office in Kingsway, Dovercourt.