Emma Foden, whose partner David Rhodes died after a drunken fall from a van, has spoken out to inspire others to overcome drug and alcohol addiction as she has done.
Builder David Rhodes, 40, died from a head injury in October last year after falling out of the back of a van in Lancashire. A coroner concluded he was under the influence of a 'significant amount' of alcohol at the time.
Emma, from Stockport, candidly described how they first met on the streets eight years ago and would drink and take drugs together. Despite the tragedy just 10 months ago, she has remained sober despite her previous demons.
A promise to turn tragedy into purpose
"If, by speaking out, I can help one person to get sober, then David's death won't be for nothing. It won't be in vain," said Emma, who goes into prisons to share her story and inspire others to transform their lives. "If I can get one person to hear these words and change their life then I will have achieved something."
On October 11, 2025, Emma and David took their daughter, Annie, to Blackpool to watch the World Championship Fireworks, reports Lancs Live. She said he was drunk on the night and decided the best thing to do was to go home. She packed their things in her van and the three set off home, with Emma driving.
But David's behaviour escalated to the point where he ended up in the back of the van 'jumping around and spitting', Emma recalled. She said she slowed down and avoided heading towards the motorway because she feared 'people would end up dead the way David was acting'. At around 11pm, David managed to open the rear doors of the van and stepped out onto the road.
A wake-up call and a struggle
"I was only going at about five or 10mph," Emma said. David, from Todmorden, suffered a traumatic head injury and was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, where he died the following day.
Emma is frank over how they met. "On the streets," she said. "We took drugs and drank together." She admitted that 'there isn't a drug' she hasn't taken and says she spent 30 years of her life in addiction. But when she fell pregnant with Annie it was a massive wake-up call. She quit drinking and taking drugs. Sadly, she said David struggled to do the same.
"When I had Annie my family gave me a choice 'it's the drink and drugs or your kids'," Emma recalled. "I want people to understand that it's not the substance that kills, it's the decisions people make which kills. David lost his life through addiction but it was because of an act he did while under the influence. Alcohol is the most powerful substance on the planet."
Stigma and a daughter's future
"David struggled because there were no services where he lived. The saddest thing about it is David knew he had a problem, he just didn't know how to stop. He sat in front of me, the night before he died, and he said 'I don't know how to stop'. This is a disease. Addiction is a disease and it doesn't care who you are. I did everything I could to try to help David."
Almost 12 months on from David's death, Emma has one focus - her daughter. "She has had to grow up so quick," she said. "She has been living with my mum." Emma is clear that the stigma attached to addiction, whether to alcohol or drugs, is a huge barrier. Addicts are made to feel ashamed and, as a parent, admitting you have a problem can lead to intrusive attention from social services, she said.
"Sobriety is the only way I can live," Emma adds. "I'm determined to be the best mum I can be for Annie. She will have to be told, at some point, how her dad died, and that's really sad, but perhaps if everyone, including society, were more honest about things like addiction and the impact it has, then it will make a positive difference."
Despite the hand she has been dealt, Emma has managed to stay sober and tries to help others struggling with addiction by speaking to prison inmates and sharing her story. "I'm trying to use my trauma to help others," she added.
