A DRUGS charity, started by parents from Warrington and St Helens, received a boost after being honoured at 10 Downing Street.

Members of Footsteps attended a special reception, hosted by the Prime Minister’s wife Samantha Cameron, celebrating the work of organisations and individuals who are tackling the harm caused by drug and alcohol misuse.

Footsteps was founded 13 years ago by a group of concerned parents and today a team of eight part-time staff and seven volunteers have been providing support for some 250 families.

Chief executive Jan Hickling, one the charity’s founding members, said: “It was an amazing experience and we kept thinking ‘Are we really here?’ “It was surreal walking up those steps and seeing all the photographs of the Prime Ministers up the walls, it’s something I don’t think we will ever get to do again.

“We set up Footsteps because there wasn’t anywhere for families to go.

“The great thing is families are finally being highlighted as very often they can be the forgotten victims with addiction in families.

“Now it feels like there is a real drive, even on the political agenda, for families to get that recognition and support they need.”

Jan helped create the group after her 17-year-old son told her he was using heroin.

Earlier this year the Warrington Guardian reported a funding blow meant staff have their fingers crossed they will be able to continue their good work beyond September 2013.

Jan added: “We hope we can carry on and remain positive as we are very passionate about what we do.

“Alot of our staff have had experience of drug and alcohol problems in our families and use that experience to support others.

“We’re going out to tender in Warrington and there is money for a family service so we hope it will be us.”