Russell Brand Steps Up For Addiction Charity

British entertainer Russell Brand is taking on the challenge to save the charity that helped him beat his drug habit.

Brand has abstained from his heroin habit since 2002, when his agent forced him to enter a rehab program with Focus 12. But the organization faces closure after its funding was cut by the British government – and Brand has offered to do all he can to help it survive.

Along with Davina McCall, Brand is a patron of the charity, and has joined the campaign to keep it running. Established in 1997, Focus 12 is a small charity that deals with all aspects of addiction, and offers addicts the chance to speak to professional people who have had experience in what they are going through. Fees cost up to £550 per week, much of which is funded by a trust.

“Thankfully, we have two high-level patrons without whom I don’t think we would have survived,” said charity boss Chip Somers. “Both are still very much a part of the charity and want to help.”