Derby County saved my life - former heroin addict Jon Fairbrother

A HEROIN addict who was hooked on the drug for more than a decade has cleaned up and become a qualified football coach, thanks to a project run by Derby County.

Jon Fairbrother is one of 150 recovering drug users who are having their lives turned around by the Active Choices scheme run by the club and the NHS.

Jon, who is in his 30s, felt his life was out of control until he was referred to the project, which uses sport to help addicts off drugs.

He said: "I was taking heroin every day, often several times a day, and spending hundreds of pounds on it a week. I wasn't sure how to get off it or how it keep off it but when I started on the Active Choices course, it was the push I needed.

We guarantee to say yes to buying your home

Instant Home Buyer

View details

regardless of its condition or location

Terms: Service not available in Scotland or Ireland

Contact: 01332 410178

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

"They got me back in the gym, got my fitness back up and helped me get an FA coaching qualification. I owe them everything."

Project officer Luke Wilkinson said: "We give these people something to do with their lives, something to work for, and it seems to be working for them."

• Read Chris Jones' full report on the project run by Derby County which is helping more than 150 former drug addicts transform their lives:

'My life was a mess and I spent my 21st birthday in a crack house ... but Derby County saved me'