With addiction struggles behind him, Cheshire RAF veteran is taking part in London Marathon

03 April 2025

Gary Miller is running the London Marathon on April 27 in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity which helped him overcome his addiction.

Born and raised in Runcorn, Gary joined the RAF in May 2016, wanting to serve his country and hoping that the camaraderie and regimented lifestyle would help kick his habits of excessive alcohol and drug use. Gary had struggled with his habits for much of his adult life up until then, and those battles would continue.

Gary was discharged from the RAF in December 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, due to his substance abuse, and spent the next year struggling to find his footing. While he was able to find a job at a telecommunications company, he could not find the sense of community he had in the RAF – and with pandemic restrictions in place, he felt more alone than ever.

Gary knew he had to get help, and SSAFA was there when he needed it: “On many occasions I said to myself, ‘Gary, you need to stop’, but I never could. I knew that I deserved more from life and had more potential than I was currently achieving – but I couldn’t do it while I was still drinking. I was on the verge of losing my job, spending all my money on drinks and drugs, and I didn’t know where to turn.”

“I reached out to SSAFA, and they helped me find and furnish a flat in my hometown of Runcorn. On top of all that, though, they were never judgemental. They understood my situation, and they helped me through a very tough time in my life. Running the London Marathon for SSAFA is the least I can do to give back.”

Gary has continued working for Kelly Communications and is now a field manager, and as he said: “I’ve finally reached the heights I knew I could if I beat my addictions.” 

He has run five marathons and an ultramarathon, and in this year’s London Marathon he is aiming for a personal best of 3hrs 30mins.