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Former drug addict scoops top award
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| ROYAL HANDSHAKE: Ian was congratulated by Prince Charles |
A former drug addict from Moreton who launched a "personal crusade" to teach others the dangers of substance abuse has been named Young Achiever of the Year by The Prince of Wales at a glamorous celebrity bash.
After leaving school with no qualifications, Ian Fisher, 29, lived a bleak existence. Heroin and crack addiction led him to hit rock-bottom, ending up in hospital and finally prison.
Years of substance misuse have left Ian with chronic and life-threatening medical problems.
His efforts to turn his life around have now landed the proud new dad with the LSC Young Achiever Award at The Prince's Trust and RBS Celebrate Success ceremony attended by the likes of well-wishing A-listers such as Kevin Spacey and Richard E Grant.
Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who handed Ian the award, was among those gathered at the ceremony to recognise young people who have overcome homelessness, drug addiction and unemployment to achieve success.
After announcing Ian's success to the 1,500-strong audience she said: "Ian has shown remarkable willpower and strength of character to overcome drug addiction and prison. I am personally humbled by how such a young man can put his past experiences to good use and help others to avoid similar problems."
Gwyneth added: "I'm a great admirer of The Prince of Wales. The work he has done through his charity to help young people is quite remarkable."
Ian believes that without the support of The Prince's Trust, he would have given up on life.
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| Ian with Gwyneth Paltrow |
| "At my worst I was a heroin and crack addict and knew my drug use had to come to an end." | | Ian Fisher |
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Thankfully, he received enough guidance and financial support from the youth charity to overcome all barriers and set up organisation Sub Aware'. He now educates schools, youth groups and the wider community on the effects of drugs and alcohol.
In addition to managing his own business, Ian volunteers for two other charities, both of which support young people with addictions.
Ian said: "At my worst I was a heroin and crack addict and knew my drug use had to come to an end.
"Everything in my personal life is absolutely fantastic now - it's all going in my favour.
"I will not stand down from this crusade until I've made a real difference to the lives of young people."
The Prince's Trust & RBS Celebrate Success Awards celebrate the achievements of young people supported by the youth charity who have succeeded against the odds, as well as the support from volunteers and staff.
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group's support of Celebrate Success is part of a five-year partnership with The Trust to help the one million young people who are not in education, employment or training.
HRH The Prince of Wales set up The Prince's Trust because he wanted to help young people in the UK. The Trust has helped more than 575,000 young people since 1976 and needs to raise £1m a week to continue this support.
11:04am Sunday 23rd March 2008
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CommentPosted by: John S, London on 2:06pm Sun 23 Mar 08
May I congratulate Ian on his achievement. It's just great to see something positive coming from the Wirral . Again WELL DONE !!!!
May I congratulate Ian on his achievement. It's just great to see something positive coming from the Wirral . Again WELL DONE !!!!
Posted by: Pat, Wallasey, Wirral on 5:32pm Sun 23 Mar 08
Ian, your positive attitude, life and important work is and will continue to be an inspiration for so many..Best wishes and many Congratulations,...
Ian, your positive attitude, life and important work is and will continue to be an inspiration for so many..Best wishes and many Congratulations,...
Posted by: Alan, Wallasey. on 5:45pm Sun 23 Mar 08
Nice one,mate.
Posted by: Jo, Wirral on 7:49am Mon 24 Mar 08
[bold]CONGRATULATIONS and Well Done..[/bold]
You really do derserve it. Lets hope more people follow in your foot steps..
Well Done again
CONGRATULATIONS and Well Done..
You really do derserve it. Lets hope more people follow in your foot steps..
Well Done again
Posted by: Spiffy, Wallasey on 2:52pm Mon 24 Mar 08
Congratulations Ian what a tremendous and hard won acheivement. Good on you for trying to help others like yourself I wish you all the best :)
Congratulations Ian what a tremendous and hard won acheivement. Good on you for trying to help others like yourself I wish you all the best :)
Posted by: jizza on 5:53pm Mon 24 Mar 08
Yer,as Alexi Sayle once said,applauding exdrug addicts is like congratulating somebody who has stopped sticking his pr**k in a blender.
Yer,as Alexi Sayle once said,applauding exdrug addicts is like congratulating somebody who has stopped sticking his pr**k in a blender.
Posted by: spm, wirral on 7:41am Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]jizza[/bold] wrote:
Yer,as Alexi Sayle once said,applauding exdrug addicts is like congratulating somebody who has stopped sticking his pr**k in a blender.[/quote] Thats another disgrace from you Jizza.
Well done to that young man. Good luck.
Jizza get out of the blender!!!
jizza wrote:
Yer,as Alexi Sayle once said,applauding exdrug addicts is like congratulating somebody who has stopped sticking his pr**k in a blender.
Thats another disgrace from you Jizza.
Well done to that young man. Good luck.
Jizza get out of the blender!!!
Posted by: Mark, Birkenhead on 5:51am Sat 29 Mar 08
[quote][bold]jizza[/bold] wrote:
Yer,as Alexi Sayle once said,applauding exdrug addicts is like congratulating somebody who has stopped sticking his pr**k in a blender.[/quote] jizza I beleive this guy is being congratulated and applauded for the work he is doing now to help other people with addictions. To be honest he would be applauded for that work even if he was not an ex addict, although becouse of that maybe he has a better insight into addiction.
jizza wrote:
Yer,as Alexi Sayle once said,applauding exdrug addicts is like congratulating somebody who has stopped sticking his pr**k in a blender.
jizza I beleive this guy is being congratulated and applauded for the work he is doing now to help other people with addictions. To be honest he would be applauded for that work even if he was not an ex addict, although becouse of that maybe he has a better insight into addiction.
Posted by: jizza on 9:47am Sat 29 Mar 08
I BELIEVE it's a load of well off/middle class/rich people(whatever)easi
ng their conscience and giving some ex offender(it is an offence to take crack and heroin?) a medal for,I repeat,not being stupid anymore. Oh and I wonder what he went to prison for? Sycophants.
I BELIEVE it's a load of well off/middle class/rich people(whatever)easi
ng their conscience and giving some ex offender(it is an offence to take crack and heroin?) a medal for,I repeat,not being stupid anymore. Oh and I wonder what he went to prison for? Sycophants.
Posted by: ANON, Birkvegas on 2:29pm Sat 29 Mar 08
JIZZA IS A HYPOCRITE, THOUGHT U WERE A RICH MILLIONAIRE AND U ONLY COME ON HERE 2 KEEP UR BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN, BO**ACKS
JIZZA IS A HYPOCRITE, THOUGHT U WERE A RICH MILLIONAIRE AND U ONLY COME ON HERE 2 KEEP UR BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN, BO**ACKS
Posted by: Phil, Wallasey on 10:37pm Sat 29 Mar 08
There is a saying "no one understands an alcoholic like another alcoholic" We need more people like Ian, who has an understanding of these addictions first hand, to make a difference in our communities. I'm an addict myself and have been sober for 3 months know and I couldn't of done that without the help of fellow addicts. These are the people we should be employing NOT the Undergrads and well eduacted who have no life experience of alcohol and drugs.
I only hope the dedication Ian has shown to making a difference rubs off on a few more people who have similar problems he once had.
There is a saying "no one understands an alcoholic like another alcoholic" We need more people like Ian, who has an understanding of these addictions first hand, to make a difference in our communities. I'm an addict myself and have been sober for 3 months know and I couldn't of done that without the help of fellow addicts. These are the people we should be employing NOT the Undergrads and well eduacted who have no life experience of alcohol and drugs.
I only hope the dedication Ian has shown to making a difference rubs off on a few more people who have similar problems he once had.
Posted by: jizza on 6:04pm Sun 30 Mar 08
You shouldn't believe everything you read in the papers.
You shouldn't believe everything you read in the papers.
Posted by: Jack Frost, wirral on 11:08pm Sun 30 Mar 08
Well Done Ian, it takes a thief to catch a thief
keep up the good work, may you keep many pr1cks outta the blender. It'll help us keep our wing mirrors
Well Done Ian, it takes a thief to catch a thief
keep up the good work, may you keep many pr1cks outta the blender. It'll help us keep our wing mirrors
Posted by: laura, birkenhead on 4:02pm Mon 31 Mar 08
isright ian!! it only takkes 1 to make a diffrence!!! if 1 smaked is off the streets the better! n now ya life is starting again good luck mate! i dont even know yer n im ded proud ov ya haha
isright ian!! it only takkes 1 to make a diffrence!!! if 1 smaked is off the streets the better! n now ya life is starting again good luck mate! i dont even know yer n im ded proud ov ya haha
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