Duchess of Cambridge helps school pupils escape parents' drug and drink addiction

 
Flying the flag: the Duchess of Cambridge is greeted by children as she arrives today at the Blessed Sacrament School in Islington to hear about her charity project (Rex Features)

The Duchess of Cambridge today showed her determination to help smash the cycle of addiction blighting the lives of millions of young children.

She joined forces with comedian John Bishop at Blessed Sacrament School in Islington to see first-hand the work of a special charity project she initiated.

Kate was so moved after hearing that the children of addicts are seven times more likely to become addicts themselves that she arranged funds for research into providing specialist support for pupils to help them combat problems before they develop.

Today she spoke to participants in a pilot programme, M-PACT Plus, for the school-based project which is funded by The Royal Foundation and Comic Relief. It is delivered by charities Place2Be and Action on Addiction, of which she is patron, to support schoolchildren affected by a parent’s drug or alcohol misuse.

Kate wore a £308 belted dress by Goat for the trip to the London school Picture: Jeremy Selwyn

A spokesman for the Duchess, who was cheered by crowds as she arrived in the sunshine wearing a £308 belted dress by Goat, said: “MPACT-Plus came about as a result of the Duchess of Cambridge’s desire to help children of addicted families break the cycle of addiction, and she has taken a close interest in its progress.

Kate greets her young admirers Picture: Jeremy Selwyn

“Through her patronage of Action on Addiction, the Duchess became aware of the shattering impact of addiction, not only on those addicted, but also on their families. Research suggests that children of addicts are seven times more likely to become addicts themselves. The Duchess directed her charity, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, to find a way to help.”

School trip: The Duchess greets pupils

Today Kate met project co-ordinators and school head teachers before joining a private counselling session.

The Duchess visited the Islington school for a special charity project she initiated

The pilot programme is running in schools across London, Essex, Manchester, Salford and the North-East, and could be extended to help more of the estimated three million children living with parental drug and alcohol misuse.

John Bishop said he was “delighted” to help the initiative.

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