Russell Brand, Kevin Kennedy team up against addiction

London: Comedian Russell Brand has teamed up with former `Coronation Street` actor Kevin Kennedy to open a dry pub to help people recovering from alcohol. 38-year-old Brand met Kennedy at a conference and discussed about the latter`s plan to open a pub in Brighton, South of Britain. comedian has launched his Comic Relief-supported `Give It Up` fund for addict support schemes, reported Daily Mirror. "Because of support groups, addicts like me stand a chance. They?re a way for people to get clean and stay clean and they provide a sense of togetherness and purpose," Brand said. Former `Corrie` star Kennedy is looking to raise 100,000 pounds to finance the new community hub. "Russell and I are speaking from the same hymn sheet. We both believe that abstinence is the only way to treat addiction," he said. "I`ve told him about my dry pub idea and he said it was great to have me here. I need a start-up fund and I`m speaking to Russell to see if he can help us out," he added. "I want to create a place that`s classy and out there in the open for people to come and get support. It`s about visual recovery ? not hiding away. I want people to go there and feel safe," he added.