Anthony is now clean after overcoming heroin addiction, but the consequences have been enormous. He lost his leg and, with significant mobility challenges, spent a long time largely housebound. Along the way, he lost much of his hope, confidence and sense of direction.

Now, Anthony has an opportunity to change that.

He has been accepted onto the School of Homeless Pastors, a two-year leadership programme helping him turn his lived experience into something positive and support others facing homelessness, addiction and hardship.

We want to raise £5,000 to help Anthony make this new start possible.

The money will help cover his training, transport and accessibility costs, and support him as he begins building LIGHT Group Hull.

Through LIGHT Group Hull, Anthony will help build a team, speak in churches, take part in outreach and connect people into STEP groups, recovery support and local church communities.

Anthony is starting his fundraising with a challenge:

Travelling by wheelchair along the canal from Sowerby Bridge to Brighouse.

Even getting to the starting line is a challenge. His wheelchair isn't practical to take on the train, so he needs accessible transport from Hull to Sowerby Bridge, and transport home from Brighouse.

For someone who has spent so much time stuck at home, this is about far more than completing a canal route.

It is Anthony choosing to move forward again.

Our goal is £5,000 to give Anthony the training, practical support and opportunity to take this next step — and ultimately use his own journey to help others.

Please sponsor Anthony if you can. Every donation will help him take this next step and use his journey to help others.