From LADbible · · 1m 20s
Richie Roncero's 16-year addiction journey
Richie Roncero, a former cocaine addict, is deliberately sleeping rough to fund addiction recovery beds for the UK.
In brief
Richie Roncero, a former cocaine addict, is deliberately sleeping rough to fund addiction recovery beds for the UK. Richie Roncero, who struggled with addiction for 16 years, is sleeping on the streets to raise £1 million for addiction recovery beds. Originally reported by LADbible.
Richie Roncero's addiction history
Richie Roncero started using cocaine at 15 and struggled with addiction for 16 years.
“i was an addict for 16 years and hated my life - now i'm living on the streets”
Psychosis and suicidal thoughts
He experienced psychosis and suicidal thoughts, believing people were sneaking around in his house.
“i used it regularly which led to psychosis. it was awful, i believed people were in my house sneaking about at night”
Turning point in recovery
He met a recovering addict who guided him through the 12 steps, changing his life.
“having a support network without judgement or fear was a real inspiration. it totally changed my life”
Charity work and recovery
Richie founded Steps to Hope, a charity providing addiction recovery services in Scotland.
“i was inspired to take action after witnessing what i said was a major shortage of residential rehabilitation space”
Rehab capacity crisis
State-funded rehab placements have fallen by almost 50% over the past decade in England.
“329,646 adults were in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services between 2024-25 - the highest number since records began”
Sleeping rough challenge
Richie will sleep on the streets across 26 UK cities to raise £1 million for addiction recovery beds.
“i will sleep rough every night, carrying only a sleeping bag, phone, toothbrush, and 100 information leaflets for each stop”
Current fundraising progress
Richie has raised over £300,000 through donations and charity challenges to date.
“richie has so far raised more than £300,000 at the time of writing”
Challenges of the journey
Richie faces mental health struggles and isolation while sleeping rough for six months.
“my head is going while trying to prepare myself for six months on concrete. it's not safe, there's no guarantee, no certainty, i'll be alone and isolated”
Why he's doing this
He says people are dying on waiting lists for addiction recovery beds due to lack of capacity.
“we have so many people every day phoning to come in here. we are doing so many assessments and we can't turn beds around quickly enough”
The headline
Richie Roncero, who struggled with addiction for 16 years, is sleeping on the streets to raise £1 million for addiction recovery beds.
