Actor Clive on board as new DAPL patron

DAPL (Drug and Alcohol Project Ltd), which has its main base in Leven, welcomed actor and East Neuk resident Clive Russell as its new patron on Friday.

After inviting Clive, who has appeared in popular shows including Game of Thrones and Outlander, to one of the project’s open day events last year, staff at the project were delighted when he agreed to take on the role.

DAPL offers one to one counselling, support, information and advice to individuals and families who are affected by substance use and live within Fife.

Martin Denholm, manager at DAPL, said the organisation was ‘honoured’ to welcome Clive in the new role.

He said: “DAPL is truly honored to have Clive as the service’s first patron. Not only is he a local lad, but also a well known face on the big and small screen.

“Clive attended our recovery open day in October as a guest and was truly engaged with all in attendance; spending time with clients, staff and dignitaries to discuss DAPL’s work and the impact on those we support.

“It was due to his genuine interest in the work we do that I took the opportunity to discuss his becoming a patron, which he gratefully accepted.

“I look forward to working with Clive on the promotion of DAPL’s work in the future.”

Clive had the opportunity to meet some of the 50-odd staff, volunteers and work placements who help to run DAPL day in day out at a staff event held last week, and the actor of the small and silver screen said he had been blown away by the work being carried out across the Kingdom.

Speaking to the staff, he said: “When I came to the open day last year, I can’t say that, in an hour and a half, I have ever been so impressed by a group of people and their attention and what they were about at any time in my life. So when I was asked to become patron, it wasa delight.”

In an exclusive interview with the Mail afterwards, Clive said: “I was semi-aware of what DAPL were doing, and the building thatit is in in Leven used to be an old people’s home and my sister worked there, so there’s a slight connection there.

‘‘But I think it was the range of skill involved; these really highly skilled people doing a really particular work that blew me away.

“DAPL is supporting people who are really quite marginalised in society. They help to validate them and take them seriously as people, and they are treated with great patience and great care.”

It’s not the first time Clive has lent his support to a local cause; he gave his backing to the Levenmouth Rail Campaign to reinstate trains from Thornton to Leven back in 2014.