Rudheath author releases novel based on his friend's life (From Northwich Guardian)

Rudheath author releases novel based on his friend's life

7:50am Friday 15th April 2011 in News By Beth Allcock

A FORMER Rudheath man is marking the poignant release of a book detailing the life of his close friend, which was completed just months before he died.

Chris Robinson, 55, struck up a lasting friendship with former drug addict Alan Boden in 2003, during their time working at the Phoenix Futures drug and alcohol rehab centre, on the Wirral.

After listening to Alan’s stories about his uncontrollable drug addiction and his desire to show how this can be overcome, Chris offered to help him write down his experiences and shape the ideas into a story.

The book was written and edited in 12 months, with the final chapters being penned when Alan, originally from Warrington, was suffering from liver cancer.

Chris, a Rudheath Primary School pupil, explained that Alan saw the finished copy of ‘The Road to Recovery, but unfortunately did not live to see it published, in March 2011, as he died in May 2010.

“Alan was determined to finish the book off and after learning his cancer was terminal, he used to say that the book had an ending now too,” said Chris.

“I just felt really privileged to have known the guy and written his book. He was a qualified drug counsellor for 22 years - he must have changed so many lives.

“He told it how it was because he had been there and worn the t shirt.

“During the years we worked together he used to tell stories from his past, some were highly amusing and some were highly tragic.

“He was always self-depricating and we used to say that he should write a book.

“He would sit in my office in my chair talking and I would be on a cushion on the floor, sometimes I just couldn’t look up at him because of some of the stuff he was telling me.

recorded on days off.”

Chris, a therapeutic worker who now lives on the Wirral, added: “Writing the book brought us a lot closer, we just had that rapport.

“The book is like a tribute to his life and the work he did.”

The Road to Recovery is now available to order from Amazon, WHSmith and Waterstones.