Lorri Haines has reflected on the childhood trauma of having to go without the basics because her parents spent all their money on alcohol.
The 33-year-old businessman, who is fiancé to TOWIE’s Ferne McCann, exclusively revealed to MailOnline that he went to school with holes in his shoes and uniform because his mother and stepfather wouldn’t replace them.
Lorri teamed up with Nacoa, a charity that helps anyone “affected by their parents’ drinking,” and said he wished his parents had “done more” to help him, adding that witnessing their behavior led him to drink his first alcoholic beverage at the age of 12.
She told MailOnline: ‘I always think my parents could have done more.
‘Before he (stepfather) drank his eight beers, maybe I could have saved some of that money and bought myself shoes so I wouldn’t have to walk around with holes in them.’
Lorri Haines (pictured as a child) said she wished her parents had replaced her torn school shoes instead of routinely resorting to a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of wine.
The businessman, 33, who is the fiancé of TOWIE’s Ferne McCann (pictured), exclusively told MailOnline he often went to school with holes in his shoes.
Lorri, who grew up in a residential neighborhood, added: “Maybe he could have tried a little harder instead of worrying about cigarettes and alcohol.
“And that’s the only negative side of things that I can really point to and say: things could have been very different.
‘Maybe if I only drank on the weekend it wouldn’t be right. I honestly don’t approve of it.
‘But try to take small, gradual steps. Why not have a drink on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and give yourself three days off?
‘Those beers and cigarettes could have been an extra £10-15 in our pocket every week, which could have helped me get school uniforms so I wouldn’t feel ashamed of going to school with holes in my clothes, as if there were little things that could have been changed.’
Lorri, who is now an ambassador for Nacoa, He explained that while growing up, his “mother and most of her partners drank” and “often argued and fought.”
IShe grew up without her biological father, but had two stepfathers, one who abandoned the family when Lorri was seven and another who eventually “drank himself to death.”
Lorri explained that her second stepfather was only 47 years old when he died, but had suffered liver and kidney failure caused by alcohol consumption.
Lorri revealed that her stepfather (pictured) was just 47 when he died, but had suffered liver and kidney failure caused by alcohol consumption.
Lori started drinking at the age of 12 and spent every weekend at the pub. However, after sorting out her problems, she no longer drinks and has been sober for eight months (pictured, 2021)
The TV personality explained: “He basically drank himself to death. He drank about eight cans of beer every night throughout my childhood.
‘When he was 17 or 18 his health deteriorated very rapidly.
‘It got to the point where he had cans of beer and vodka next to his bed.
‘He would wake up and drink it during the night because if he didn’t have enough in his system, his body would shut down.’
Lorri currently has no contact with her biological mother or father.
Speaking about the impact watching his parents drink had on him, Lori revealed he started drinking at the age of 12 in parks and then spent every weekend at the pub.
However, after working through his issues and overcoming his childhood traumas, he is now drink-free and has been sober for eight months.
In fact, Lorri is completely against the drinking culture and wishes she could “abolish” alcohol.
Lorri, who is an EFT practitioner, now lives a full and sober life as a businessman and loving father.
She has achieved a level two in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, a level three in Counselling Skills, a level two in Neuroscience in the Early Years and has a qualification in Mental Health in the Workplace.
He and fiancée Ferne welcomed baby Finty last year and he is also stepfather to her five-year-old daughter Sunday, whom she shares with her ex, jailed acid bomber Arthur Collins.
Lorri also has a five-year-old son named Noah with her ex-partner.
She has been working with Nacoa for the past 18 months and recently spoke in parliament in the hope of boosting her campaign to gain new support to help children living with alcohol-dependent parents.
Lorri and Ferne welcomed baby Finty last month after getting engaged in 2022 (pictured in May 2024)
Ferne also has a daughter, Sunday (left), aged five, from a previous relationship with acid attacker Arthur Collins, who is in prison. Lorri also has a son called Noah (right).
The previous UK Conservative government issued a new strategy in 2018 which provided measures to give children living with alcoholic parents early access to support and advice.
At the time, it had a funding backing of £6m and so far Labour has not committed to reinstating the strategy or funding to support children of alcoholics after the last proposed scheme was quietly abandoned in 2021.
The funding included a “£4.5m innovation fund for local authorities to develop schemes to improve outcomes for children of alcohol-dependent parents” as well as £1m to fund national capacity building by non-governmental organisations.
Nacoa (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) was founded in 1990 to address the needs of children affected by their parents’ alcohol use or a similar addictive problem.
This includes children of all ages, many of whose problems only become apparent in adulthood.
The Nacoa helpline is free and confidential. This means that it is a safe place where you can talk about what is happening to you and how you feel.
Any topic you want to talk about is important to us. Sometimes just talking or writing to someone helps.
When you call or email us, you can tell us as much or as little as you like. Your calls and emails can be long or short, and you can contact us as often as you like.
Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) was founded in 1990 to address the needs of children affected by their parents’ alcohol use or a similar addictive problem.
Speaking about the charity, Lorri said: ‘I really worked hard to make sure I wasn’t defined by those early challenges and to build a life that involved positive choices and fulfilling, loving relationships.
‘I want to help others overcome their past to create a happier story for themselves in the future and I am very happy to be able to do that through Nacoa.’
According to the NHS website, alcohol dependence is the leading risk factor for early mortality, poor health and disability among 15-49 year olds in England.
In 2020, one in three alcohol-related deaths occurred in the poorest 20% of the population, widening health inequalities.
If you feel that this article or alcoholism has affected you, please contact Nacoa free of charge on 0800 358 3456.