My name’s James Davenport but most people call me SHINNy. I’ve lived an eclectic life that’s included playing for Leeds Rhinos boxing professionally and being in a band called HANKy PARK.

Everything I’ve done has always been driven by a need for more – which in turn has instilled a desire to be among the best at whatever I did. It’s why career highlights included being on the undercard for the legendary Joe Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacy bout and supporting New Order with the band.

There was always a dark side to that need for more though and throughout this time I was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. It’s an addiction that took me to the edge, both mentally and physically and nearly killed me. I lost opportunities, friends and family when my children were taken from me. It was the most painful experience and ignited a need for change after more than 20 years of battling the chaos this disease brings. That change saw me face my demons and overcome my addiction, one day at a time.

Now, I help others achieve the same. Through my SHINNy Facebook channel, I host twice-weekly shows which talk about addiction, how I face it daily and how others can enjoy the gifts of recovery too. In short, I help people understand that #RECOVERyISTHENEWCOOL.

For the last three years, I have dedicated my life to this cause. During that time I have relapsed once but throughout it, I kept the shows going. That made me realise the importance of talking about the issues associated with addiction and my viewers helped me as much as I helped them. Addiction isn’t just about drugs, alcohol, sex, food – whatever it may – it’s about mental health, confidence, self-belief and a whole lot more. It’s a disease and one we cannot be afraid to address. Through my shows, my aim is to break the stigma attached to addiction and ultimately, recovery.

This all takes time and money and prevents me from having a normal nine-to-five job. I have spent my life savings pursuing this cause and now, in order to continue, I need your help. So please, take a look at the work I do through Facebook, my daily Instagram stories and also my YouTube channel where I discuss the disease of addiction, issues around mental health and lots more with fellow addicts, influencers and thought-leaders.

It was never my plan to be asking for help and I can assure you all funds raised will go towards helping others face their demons and the wider world to understand the disease that is addiction. None of it will go on myself but filming, travelling and getting this message out all costs money – that’s what you’ll be helping us achieve if you donate.

So please dig deep and help us continue to make people understand that #RECOVERyISTHENEWCOOL.

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