The Charity of the year for the Pride of Cumbria Awards has been announced.

The successful candidate was the Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service (CADAS).

Who have been doing amazing work in our community for decades to help people from all walks of life who are battling issues with drugs and alcohol.

Leigh Williams, on behalf of CADAS said: “ was really shocked, I didn’t expect that at all.

“Sometimes I think drug and alcohol organisations don’t win stuff like that because in the community we are not a children’s charity, or one of those really passionate charities.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding that people choose to take drugs and alcohol and so we are blown away to be nominated and to also have people recognise how vital the work is what we do.

CADAS have centres in Carlisle and West Cumbria as well as in Barrow and Kendal.

Showing that they are dedicated to supporting people across the county through the difficult times they may be having.

They supported over four hundred clients last year and their dedicated volunteers worked almost three thousand hours.

Ms. Williams added: “It’s about poor mental health more than anything and coping with the resources that they have got and they have drugs and alcohol to hand. It gives people a boost of confidence and it can help relax or calm somebody down until it becomes a problem within itself and then they have the original problem and the drink or drug addiction on top.”

Leigh thanked the community and the hard work of her team.