John Sessions backing St Albans HIV centre

ACTOR John Sessions returned to St Albans recently to show his continued support for a HIV centre, which is facing closure at the end of this month.

Earlier this year John, who was a regular panellist on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, was invited to join the campaign to save The Crescent after its funding was withdrawn by Herts County Council.

And now the former Verulam School pupil has said he is working hard to try and secure a six-figure cheque to keep the centre in Russell Avenue open.

He has already been in contact with his friend and former co-star Stephen Fry, and hopes to be able to get someone to donate on an annual basis.

John said: “People will have to go to Watford if the service closes and that is enough for people to fall off the perch and not take their drugs or fall back into bad habits. It is a two-way thing, The Crescent reaches out to people but they are dependent on people coming to them.

“If places like this go they are not easy to start up again and that is why I feel obliged to try and land a six-figure cheque.

“They are on half time at the moment and that is not good. The boat already has its nose under the water so we have to move quickly.”

The Crescent has provided care and support to people living with HIV for the last 25 years. They currently help more than 300 people, but are having to rely on part-time volunteers to keep the service going until their money runs out.

Iain Murtagh, head of operations, said: “From our point of view we are very pleased to have John’s support.

“I think it is going to help us no end with his influence and contacts and I look forward to continuing working with him.”