Last updated at 20:28, Thursday, 01 March 2012

Comedian Patrick Monahan is the latest star name to become a patron for a West Cumbrian drugs and alcohol charity.

HELPING HAND: Rising Sun Trust founder Dave Smith, left, with funnyman Patrick Monahan

Teetotal Patrick, who won ITV’s Show Me The Funny, said he wanted to help raise the profile of the Rising Sun Trust nationally.

The Irish-Iranian stand-up who spends most of his time in London, is friends with Eric Field, the Workington centre’s operations director.

Patrick plans to be involved with the centre as much as time allows and said he planned to hold a gig in Workington later this year in aid of the trust.

As well as performing, Patrick hopes to do some voiceovers for the Rising Sun Trust’s website.

He said: “I have never drank alcohol or done drugs so it’s easy for me to say “just stop”, but when you are reliant on something and you need help to stop the Rising Sun is there to help.

“It’s a charity that really cares about their clients and their families.

“In the bigger cities there are more services and facilities available to deal with these type of problems, but in a small community like West Cumbria the services aren’t as readily available so charities like the Rising Sun Trust fill the void.

“They also have an educational side which I feel is really important to educate young people, informing them of their consequences of drug and alcohol misuse.

“Unfortunately finance plays a major role in running the trust and if my name helps towards some form of funding I’m only too glad to do this.

Dave Smith, the trust’s founder, said: “It’s a pleasure to have Patrick on board. He’s enthusiastic and I’m confident he will be a great help to us, spreading the word of the community work we do.”

Comedy scene regular, Patrick has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and next Saturday is taking part in BBC One’s Let’s Dance For Sport Relief.

Last November he did a gig at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre, and said he felt at home in West Cumbria.

Patrick joins England cricketer Ben Stokes, of Cockermouth, Workington actor David MacCreedy and Workington MP Tony Cunningham as a patron.

The trust, based in Workington, runs a helpline, has centres in Workington and Maryport and runs educational programmes in schools.

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 01 March 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk