A FORMER alcoholic who has successfully turned his life around will spend 12 nights sleeping rough in three UK cities to raise awareness of homelessness.

Alan Goddard from Clevedon will travel between Cardiff, Bristol and London during his challenge, which will begin on Monday.

The 57-year-old, who works as a drop-in centre manager for Crisis Centre Ministries in Bristol, used to be a chronic alcoholic.

His dependency on drink had a huge affect on his family life and also led to him spending a year homeless on the streets of Cardiff.

In 2000 he travelled to a rehabilitation facility in Clevedon and has not had a drink since. In 2003 he was reunited with his family and they now live together in Princes Road.

Throughout his challenge, Alan, a father-of-two, will have just �2 per day to use for food and he will not stay in any homeless shelters. For the final night he will join in the annual sleep out at a Bristol church, organised by the Bristol Christian Action Network.

He said: “I want to do this the same way as when I was homeless.

“It will be quite scary – especially in London.”

Crisis Centre Ministries helps people get off the streets, providing free food and shelter. It also provides support to people in North Somerset and Bristol with addiction issues.

Alan added: “There are some people who choose not to be helped. I want to try to get alongside them to understand why.”

Alan hopes to raise money toward the publication of a book he is writing about the ups and downs of his life.

Proceeds from book sales will then be split between Crisis Centre Ministries and Alabare, a charity which runs projects aimed at vulnerable adults.

* To sponsor Alan visit www.crisis-centre.org.uk or send your donation directly to Crisis Centre Ministries, 32-34 Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0QY marked for Alan’s attention.