Copyright birminghammail
A Midland man who needed a liver transplant after decades of drinking has spoken of how he changed his life. Simon Remington had a transplant at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital after he was left with severe liver disease. Four years on, Simon has cut alcohol out of his life and devotes time to supporting those impacted by booze-related harm. READ MORE: New 'authentic' Birmingham restaurant loved by celebs has Michelin star dream Alcohol-specific deaths in the West Midlands hit a five-year high in 2023, with 1012 registered. Polling this year by Alcohol Change UK suggested more than a third, 35 per cent, of people in the West Midlands wanted to drink less this year than they did in 2024, above the national average of 32 per cent. Originally from Bromsgrove , Simon is co-organising events across the Midlands to foster conversations about alcohol. He said: “Any of us can find our drinking creeping up without us really noticing. As I experienced, over time this can cause serious health harms. "Beyond the health risks, alcohol can also really affect us day-to-day. From headaches, poor sleep and anxiety and depression to work and relationship issues, these impacts affect so many people. "But we can all reduce our risk of experiencing alcohol harm through talking, learning and sharing. These things help us make more informed choices about alcohol and become healthier and stronger as individuals and communities.” Alongside his day job as a business development manager, Simon works with Exhale Nutrition founder Ryan Costello for a new series of community events called Let's Talk Alcohol. Ryan previously owned a non-alcoholic bar in the city centre. He said: “At Exhale, we’re passionate about supporting people’s health and wellbeing through conscious lifestyle choices. "Partnering with Simon on these events felt like a natural step — it’s not about telling people what to do, but about creating a space where we can explore better options, share knowledge, and connect with others who want to live healthier, more balanced lives.”
