ACTION on Addiction, based in East Knoyle, has received a grant of £30,000 from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity.

The grant will help fund the expansion of the charity’s M-PACT (Moving Parents & Children Together) programme, a service for children and families affected by addiction, which is being rolled out across the UK.

Jo Adams, from Action on Addiction, received the donation from Peter Winton, deputy provincial grand master for Wiltshire from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity on Monday.

M-PACT is an eight-week programme bringing several families in similar situations together once a week for group sessions. The programme shows children of addicted parents that they are not alone and that their voice is important, while putting in place practical measures to avoid further harm.

Nick Barton, chief executive of Action on Addiction, which has Kate Middleton among its patrons, said: “We are delighted to receive this grant from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity.

“M-PACT is a lifeline for young people whose parents are struggling with addiction. Grants such as these enable us to make a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable children and their families and will help us achieve our goal of making M-PACT available throughout the UK.”