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“My name is Mandy and for the last 11 years I have lived with a heroin addiction. I was 13 years old when my step father abused me, and I felt I had nowhere to go, no where to turn. Instead I ran away from home and I ended up living on the streets. I had no money, no support and no-one to turn to. I was alone. Eventually, I made money the only way I could, by selling my body. I already hated myself, so I really didn’t care. Everyone was using, and it was only a matter of time before I did too. It took away the pain, made me feel calmer and made my reality more bearable I guess. I ended up serving a short prison sentence for drug related crime, but I didn’t care. My life changed probably 10 years later, when at 23 I found out I was pregnant. Suddenly I knew I didn’t want the same life for my kid that I had lived. I wanted to—needed to change. I just didn’t know how.

Not long before my baby daughter was born the Doctors at the hospital connected me to Taskforce saying they could help me get off drugs and learn to be a mother. It was the support I had been looking for and so I grabbed it with both hands. My daughter is now 8 years old and is going to school. I have been clean now all this time, and I have a job and a flat that we rent. I have the deposit and I am planning to buy a small unit this year. I can see a future for my beautiful little girl and also for me.”

The money that Friends give to Taskforce helps to support people like me, and my daughter. It helps them to deliver programs that make a real difference. It helps Taskforce to break the cycle of addiction and unemployment—effectively and for the long term. Become a friend today.”

Together we can make a difference.