A CHARITY which turns around the lives of people with substance addictions has been rewarded with a huge cash boost.

Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service (Cadas), which has a base in Paradise Street, Barrow, will receive a £75,000 grant over three years from Lloyds Bank Foundation.

The money will help Cadas expand its services and provide interventions for more people. 

Operating out of four centres across Cumbria, Cadas has supported people in need for more than 35 years by providing free and confidential services, delivered by trained paid and volunteer staff.

Heike Horsburgh, chief executive officer of Cadas, said: "This essential grant will offer us the opportunity to focus on the sustainability and development of much needed services.

"The staff and volunteers of Cadas will continue to deliver high quality support and training to individuals and organisations who can benefit from our unique recovery programmes, our intensive volunteer development opportunity and our countywide training programme which is aimed at all organisations who want to raise their own awareness and capabilities to support their clients struggling with their own drug and alcohol abuse."

The £75,000 donation was one of 90 grants made by Lloyds Bank Foundation to small and medium-sized charities in the first of three annual grant rounds.

Paul Streets, chief executive officer of Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: "As highlighted in our recent research, small and medium-sized charities have been hit hardest by changes to public funding yet at the same time, demand for their services has risen.

"We are more committed than ever to providing vital funding to charities like Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service, allowing them to grow and thrive, and to reach and help the people that really rely on them."

Cadas along with The Well were recently awarded almost £500,000 from a fourth successful Big Lottery application.