AS a recovering alcoholic, Sean Brady admits alcohol has ruled much of his life.

It cost him his marriage, his children, jobs and almost his life.

But after 39 years of heavy drinking, Sean, 52, decided to make another attempt to get on the wagon, and he came to Clacton to do it.

“I started drinking when my mother died when I was 13 years old,” he said.

“It led to relationship break-downs and loss of jobs.

“I was drinking 10 cans of strong lager a day. I lost my children.

“I’ve worked in the security industry and labouring, but I probably lost three or four jobs because of drink.

“There were so many low points. Sometimes I felt like ending my own life.

“But then I decided I’d had enough. Something finally just clicked and I decided it wasn’t for me and I wanted to change my life.”

Sean knew he had to get help if he was to succeed.

“I’d met someone in Manchester and we decided to get away from there to see if I could change my life down here,” he said.

“She has supported me through 20 years of drink. She stood by me and helped me through it.

“It was a new area and a new start.”

Detox charity Foundation 66 Essex and drugs rehab service Open Road helped Sean break the vicious cycle.

“I’ve struggled with alcohol for 39 years and now I’ve been sober for six months with their help,” he said.

“I thought I could do it on my own, but never managed it. Now it’s been six months this week.”

Sean is determined to stay on the wagon and get back on the jobs ladder.

He now does voluntary work and hopes to help prevent others following in his footsteps.

“I want to work with youngsters to stop them going down the same road I went down,” he said.

“That’s why I’m doing voluntary work at Open Road at the moment.

“And my children were only babies when I lost touch with them. Now I’m trying to rebuild contact with them.”

A 14-mile pier-to-pier Cycle of Recovery bike ride from Clacton to Walton and back is being held to raise cash for Foundation 66 Essex.

Cyclists set off at 11am on May 14. Walkers can join the fundraiser at Walton at 11.30am for the return leg.

Sean said: “We are just trying to give something back for the help they have given us.”

For details about the Cycle of Recovery, e-mail nicolahandley41@yahoo.com.