A violent drug addicted criminal has turned his life around – winning a BBC award.
45-year-old Paul Simmons, from Swindon, spent nearly half his behind bars for horrific offences including a knife assault, kidnap, robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Everything he did was for drugs, heroin and crack cocaine ruled his life. But now, he’s clean and mentoring addicts in a bid to help others avoid the same path.
At BBC Wiltshire’s annual Make a Difference awards, Paul won the Volunteer Award for his efforts.
Talking to the BBC at the event, he said: “I can’t actually believe it. To win is just blowing my mind…but I have to just reiterate that I do this for every single addict in prison, out of prison, struggling, alone – you are not alone.
“You’ve got a champion out here who is willing to go to bat for you every single day of the week.
“No matter where you have been in addiction – I spent 27 years in active addiction – we do recover to live our very best lives.”
Paul regularly live streams on his social media channels, spreading love and positivity. He also works with Bristol Rovers Community Trust, where he gives talks to children about the dangers of knife crime and drugs.
