John Sessions supporting St Albans HIV centre
ACTOR John Sessions is throwing his weight behind a campaign to keep a vital HIV support centre in St Albans open.
He says he has been inspired by the work of The Crescent on Russell Avenue to support a community often overlooked, and says he is putting all his energy into helping them find much-needed funding.
John, who frequently appeared on Whose Line is it Anyway? and also starred in Sherlock, said the centre was against the clock when it came to funding.
He said: “They need one or two considerable benefactors, although any donations will keep them in place and providing the vital services for those living with HIV.
“I’m approaching people, friends, with the hope of getting them to support The Crescent. The work they are doing doesn’t just prolong life, it greatly improves the quality of life of its service users and it is them that stand to lose if The Crescent does close next month.”
The former resident of St Albans said many people now believed HIV was a thing of the past thanks to the development of drugs but it was still a struggle for many who were living with the disease.
He added: “The Crescent provides so many people with a safe place, one where they can just be. To let this close would be devastating.”
Most Read
- 1 Armed police seize machete from Sandpit Lane in St Albans
- 2 Rapist jailed for 15 years after kidnapping teen in Hemel Hempstead
- 3 Hertfordshire teen bullying victim given royal honour
- 4 Police probe into death of man in 20s at 'Kinky Towers' in Hertfordshire
- 5 Council confirms first monkeypox case in Hertfordshire
- 6 Peregrine falcon chick hatches at St Albans Cathedral in a city first
- 7 Every household in the UK to get £400 to help with rising energy bills
- 8 5 things you might not have known about Herts county council's new chairman
- 9 Success for Harpenden actor after National Youth Theatre audition
- 10 Clarence Park deckchairs banned following council concerns
John, who attended Verulam School, met with representatives from The Crescent last month when they appealed to members of parliament at the House of Lords. The team, led by head of operations Iain Murtagh, were launching their Healthy Futures appeal to secure funding.
But despite the prospect of future funding and grants that may be forthcoming, The Crescent announced last month that dwindling funds meant they would have to cut back services in June and possible closure in July.
Iain said: “We are all very thrilled and extremely grateful to have the support of such a notable figure as John Sessions. We feel that with the support of such a well-known, and much-loved public figure, we will be able to bring this dreadful situation to the attention of a much wider audience. We thank John for his support, and are very much looking forward to working together on our campaign.”
Over 300 people use The Crescent.