• Retired 58 posts
    Dec. 26, 2016, 1:51 p.m.

    Firstly I want to thank you guys for being awesome throughout the past year. It's not been easy for anyone let's be honest.

    During Extra Life I jokingly said I'd give up Smoking if I hit $200 and the odd thing was people threw monies at me. Even stranger I actually quit smoking too. The thought of all those people who were backing me and routing for me made it much easier.

    So why am I telling you this and what does it have to do with my erratic behaviour? Well for the past few months (maybe longer) I have been very erratic. Podcasts have been missed, events have fallen through and over all I have been unreliable. I recently came to terms with the why. I drink too much. It's a problem that is interfering with my day to day living as well as the organisation of events and contests.

    I recently reached out for help and now have a nurse who assisting me (it's serious enough that they are talking about calling me in to dry out in hospital). However I have decided that instead of moping about and seeing this as a negative I will use this as an opportunity to help others. Similar to Extra Life I am taking donations to go to Special Effect. They're a UK based charity who help disabled people access gaming by creating useful ways for them to use controllers in the same way as someone without a disability.

    Unlike Extra Life I have already decided to quit drinking and even if I don't hit my target I will still quit. However even if I don't hit my goal donations will go directly to Special Effect.

    You can find out more over at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/klethetemplar and if you're in the UK you can donate by text by sending BKLE £5 (or the amount you want to between £1 and £10) to 70070 and it will come off your next phone bill.

  • Retired 1103 posts
    Dec. 26, 2016, 3:23 p.m.

    Really sorry to hear about things taking a turn for the worse Kle. Thanks for posting this and the honestly. Been there with the alcohol but I managed to ween myself to a near stop, so I'm sure you can to. Congrats on the stopping smoking, addictions are a nasty thing, I stopped smoking as well, well, I have my vaping fix every so often. I'll check out the fundraiser link myself asap... a small contribution for such a good cause, yeah, right on!

    I hope things get better Kle! All of ODO I'm sure wishes you the best 😀

  • Retired 920 posts
    Dec. 26, 2016, 4:19 p.m.

    Best of luck Kle and keep going as every step is a victory

  • Retired 39 posts
    Dec. 27, 2016, 12:45 a.m.

    Wishing you all the strength in the world! Fighting yourself is one of the hardest things there is. But you made that first step and that's a good thing!

  • Dec. 28, 2016, 10:37 a.m.

    Best wishes Kle, hope you get a handle on it all soon. I just wanted to say though, good for you for deciding to channel this all into something positive, I think that shows real class and character, and what a great guy you are. Well done for having the balls to stand up to your own demons.