Students from Harrow College have welcomed a talk given by reformed drug addict and gang member Paul Hannaford, on behalf of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
The mentor and lecturer spoke to Harrow College Sports and Health and Social Care students in the lecture theatre at the college’s Harrow Weald campus on Thursday 4 December.
Hannaford spoke about how he turned from a typical teenager and talented footballer into a heroin addict and convicted criminal responsible for a number of gang-related and violent crimes.
After serving a total of 15 prison sentences and developing thrombosis – a direct consequence of his substance abuse - Hannaford turned his life around after entering a drug rehabilitation facility.
He now spends his time warning young people of the dangers of gun and knife crime, gang culture and drug addiction.
Hannaford has reached out to over 60,000 young people with his story in a bid to prevent them from falling into the same spiral of addiction and crime that he experienced.
Lee Janaway, head of department for Business, English and Health and Wellbeing said: “Paul has given a highly inspirational talk on the perils of knife crime and drug addiction and why students should be aware of the how small acts of unlawful behaviour can soon escalate into a much more serious problem.”
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is the charitable arm of the club.
Harrow College has partnered with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to provide first-class football training for students.
• Read more about Harrow College and Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s Education and Football Development Centre.