Message of hope

[Guest guest]

Message of hope

A FORMER drug addict and alcoholic is appealing to all helicopter owners in Ireland and abroad to help him in his hour of need. ny , formerly of Clontarf and now living in Scotland, requires a helicopter to be on standby to take him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Hospital if a liver becomes available for a transplant that he desperately needs. ny has opened three drug rehabilitation centres in Scotland through the organisation 'Walking Free'. As reported in Northside People last month, he has vowed to help drug addicts and their families in Ireland.He has organised a major event called 'Make Addiction History' in the RDS, which will take place on May 13 and 14.ny says he dearly wants to be present at the RDS. However, he realises that the call from the hospital in Edinburgh could come at any time.“I have Hepatitis C and sclerosis with cancer of the liver as a result of the Hepatitis of the liver,” he says.“I only heard I was infected with Hep C last September. In fact, I walked and cycled with some friends all the way from Los Angeles to New York while I had cancer, the Hep C virus and sclerosis.“We brought a message of help and healing to millions through the media on our 'Walking Free' trip across the States.” According to ny, the RDS event will be brimming with hope, with a choir of former addicts and their families singing fantastic songs of recovery from addiction.“Hip Hop dancers will be celebrating freedom from addiction through powerful dance routines,” he says.“Don Baker is making a special guest appearance and you will have a chance of hearing many former addicts and their families tell of how their lives have changed.” The RDS event was organised before ny heard he was sick and in need of a transplant. He now runs the rehabilitation centres in Scotland where Irish addicts can receive help.“I have to carry a pager around with me now,” says ny. “When a liver is available, I will have to make my way to the hospital.“I am hoping someone will go on standby for me with a helicopter to fly me out if necessary.”ny reaffirmed his commitment to helping addicts in Ireland and their families. “We need hope in Ireland,” he says. “Indeed, having these sicknesses puts me in a unique position to bring hope to many.”ny has also written his autobiography, entitled 'Walking Free'. A lot of the profits will go towards helping others in Ireland.“We are hoping to raise funds to open a men's rehab centre in Ireland,” he says.Tickets for this weekend's event are available at Liberty Hall box office on Eden Quay and at the door on the night. They are priced at e11.50 and can also be purchased at www.centralticketbureau.com

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