SCORES of past users a residential treatment centre for people recovering from alcohol addiction  celebrated the 30th anniversary of the centre at an event on Saturday.

In the morning 170 people in recovery from addiction came from all corners of the UK  to celebrate the landmark event at the The Nelson Trust in Stroud.

Mary Brash, founder, cut the 30th Anniversary cake and said she was very proud of what the charity has achieved.

She said: ‘We were just a couple of hard-working, determined people. Hundreds of people have helped along the way, but the ones I admire the most are the clients. Each and every one is a shining example of recovery from this dreadful disease.

In the afternoon, the Fete and Family Fun Day was opened by John Trolan, CEO.

Mr Trolan launched the charity’s new Stand with Us Appeal, calling on everyone to give up alcohol for just one evening, donating their savings so that more people can get the support they need.

He said: ‘We really appreciate the way Stroud has made our clients feel so at home. Over these 30 years, 2,100 individuals have been given the opportunity to turn their lives around through our residential abstinence-based rehab centres and over 2,500 women and their families have experienced life-changing support at the two women’s centres. None of this would have been possible without the support of all our neighbours, professionals, volunteers and donors.

Other activities that took place as part of the celebrations included food-tasting, biscuit-decorating, nail-painting and teddy bear-naming.