STAFF at the Dumbarton Area Council of Alcohol (DACA) said farewell to long-standing director Cathie Dennett last week.

Ms Dennett has spent 25 years in the post and was given a send off by around 70 members of staff, volunteers, funders as well as current and former clients.

The event was held at the charity’s AGM in Abbostford Hotel, and DACA chairman David Wilson gave a speech praising Ms Dennett’s hard work with the charity since joining as a volunteer 35 years ago.

He said: “During her time in charge Cathie has taken DACA on quite a journey, locally, nationally and even internationally. Her leadership, dedication and guidance has seen the growth of this fledging association into what it is today.

“The success of the various groups at DACA – walking, gardening, cooking, music and so much more is all testament to the foresight of this remarkable woman.”

Julie Lusk, West Dunbartonshire head of mental health, learning disability and addiction, also paid tribute Ms Dennett for her contribution to the local alcohol and drug partnership.

Ms Dennett was presented with gifts and a cake from the agency plus a large bouquet of flowers from the charity’s clients.

She added: “I just love DACA so much and the legacy for me is not the groundbreaking projects which gained national and international acclaim such as the ILM and the complimentary therapies – although I am very proud to have been involved in these.

“The legacy for me is the fantastic drinking outcome that we have achieved year on year, currently standing at 78 per cent positive outcomes, this is very much down to the hard work of our wonderful team of volunteer counsellors.

“It is also about the ownership and involvement of our clients, I don’t know any other agency which has people queuing up to get in before the staff even arrive for work.

“It’s the most fantastic client group to work with and I’ve made so many life long friends through working at DACA.”