A FORMER drug dealer who was jailed twice has spoken of his ambitious plans for a worldwide charity rooted in Comet country.

Rob Joy grew up on the Grange Estate in Letchworth GC and found himself embroiled in a life of drugs and gang culture.

But since turning his life around in 2005, the Arlesey resident has gone on to write a book about his experiences as well as hold talks at schools, prisons and churches.

Now the 32-year-old has set up a worldwide charity called Storming the Nations, and wants to have a base in Letchworth GC dedicated to helping young people and their parents caught up with drugs and gang culture.

“I have a massive heart for Letchworth as it’s where I stole from and now I want to give back to the community,” said Rob, who is keen to involve as many people within the community as possible in the project.

“We want to get involved in the community and we want to help. My heart bleeds for this young generation - the drugs, the violence, the gang culture.”

Rob is also having his book, Satan’s Lost His Grip On Me, published in Australia and the USA for the first time but revealed he still wants to make an impact closer to home by giving away copies.

“My vision for the book is to get copies into every prison in the UK and then I want to get one through every door in Letchworth,” he said.

“It’s not just a book reaching out to people on drugs, it’s reaching out to parents as well. For me it’s making people recognise it’s a problem.”

To kick start the charity’s push in the town Rob has organised an event called The Youth Movement - aiming to move young people “in a different direction” - for November 17 at The Broadway Hotel, which will feature music from rappers and bands, as well as motivational speaking.

For more information about how to get involved in the charity or for advice visit www.stormingthenations.net or email Rob directly via rob.joy911@yahoo.co.uk