MNN - Mother Nature Network

Tom Hardy is ramping up his efforts to help end homelessness by announcing a fundraising roadtrip across the cold and wild lands of Siberia. 

 

The 34-year-old, who will next be seen as the chemically-enhanced villain Bane in the new Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises", announced his trip on the site JustGiving.com. 

 

"I've been supporting FLACK since it first started and now I'm about to set off to drive across Siberia to raise money for three charities I care about including, of course, FLACK!," he writes. 

 

FLACK is a UK charity that not only works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness, but also prints a magazine with articles written by the homeless. Late last year, with the charity facing closure, Hardy helped spearhead a $72,000 fundraising campaign that successfully raised the money needed. 

 

"I learned about the challenges faced by the homeless community in Cambridge when I starred in the film 'Stuart: A Life Backwards' which was a pivotal role in my career," he writes on his fundraising page. "Homelessness impacts people for life and in many cases causes mental health problems and drug and alcohol addictions. It's a cause that means a hell of a lot to me personally as I know from my own experience how tough it is to battle addiction."

 

According to Wikipedia, Hardy has been sober and clean since 2003 after a lengthy battle with alcoholism and a crack cocaine addiction. 

 

"So please do cheer me on as I brave the Siberian Steppes by donating whatever you can afford," he writes. "I hope to send the odd pic from along the way if I can work out how to use my phone without taking my gloves off!"

 

Hardy's fans have already helped the star raise more than half the $48K he's aiming for. While it's unclear exactly when he intends to make the drive, from what I've seen online the 4,000 mile journey is quite the journey. I wish him luck. 

 

To follow his progress - or make a donation to the cause - hit the official campaign page here.