John Edwards a former drug addict and alcoholic is spending three days in Beverley along with his giant model syringe as he looks to extend a helping hand to addicts and their loved ones.
His giant syringe that measures 33 feet in length and has a 6-foot diameter doubles up as a bedroom and also a place so that members of the public can sit privately and talk to Mr. Edwards.
A normal man, Mr. Edwards made some choices in the early years of his life that saw him left all but destitute and dependent on alcohol and drugs.
Starting with one single Valium pill and the odd drink which he said helped him chat up a girl he fancied down the local pub things soon escalated out-of-control leaving him homeless and dependent booze and heroin.
Now some 25 years on Mr. Edwards said he is fully recovered and has dedicated his sober life to helping others who have suffered a similar plight as himself.
While his choice of location Coltman Avenue in Beverley raised some concerns with local residents, Mr. Edwards says that setting up in the Swinemoor estate will allow him to reach out most to the people with addiction issues.
Speaking to HU17.net Mr. Edwards now lives in Bradford said;
“In the past we have set up in town centres but the impact we have is nominal compared to when we go to the heart of communities.”
“This is not about making a massive impact grabbing the headlines. This is about reaching out to the people who struggling with addiction be that the addicts themselves or their family members.”
“In the past couple of days since we have been set up here we have been approached by a number of people. Overall their responses been very positive, even a local councillor, Philip Dodsworth has expressed his support in what we are doing.”
Mr. Edwards is in Beverley as part of a national tour which will see him travel the length and breadth of Great Britain and Ireland as he aims to bring a message of hope to everybody, but especially those with life controlling issues.
Speaking about his tour, Mr. Edwards said;
“We have never seen so much pain depression addiction and suicide in our lives, it is so upsetting. I have been suicidal and had a liver transplant, depression, lived on the street and overdosed many times. I have also seen most of my friends die from suicide, overdoses, drugs, aids and even murder.”
“With God’s help, I am now free by diction the have been so over the past 25 years. This generation seems to have given up on God, while at the same time there are signs of suicidal, depression, addiction increases, there is a link.”
Furthermore, addicts often find it very difficult to seek the help they require Mr. Edwards says he has a vast experience in this. In the past, he has worked with police, local support groups and even the central government in Ireland as he looks to rescue people from their addictions.
He added;
“It may come as a surprise to some people, but I am from very a wealthy family back in Ireland. For me, I hit rock bottom when I received a message telling me my father passed away. When I got that message I was sat in a back alley next to a tramp crying like a baby something I’ve not done many years.”
“My family made it really clear to me at this point that I was not welcome back home to attend the funeral. I found it very upsetting that somebody else will be carrying my father’s coffin at his funeral.”
“It was at this point that things changed for me. I got my life back in order. It was not an easy journey. From the point when I gave everything up it still took a further 10 years before my family were able to trust me enough and let me back into their lives.”
It’s quite ironic that now when his family have a problem the person they turn Mr. Edwards.
To find out more information about Mr Edwards please visit www.walkingfree.org
