People urged to back unpaid carers campaign

Rochdale urged to back unpaid carers campaign

People in Rochdale are being urged to follow the lead of Ab Fab celebrity Joanna Lumley and back a charity campaign to help the UK’s hidden army of seven million unpaid carers - 800,000 of them in the region.

Ms Lumley is one of a host of celebrities backing the 2016 Britain’s Best Breakfast campaign, taking place 10-16 October. Organised by Carers Trust, the campaign will raise funds for its work to support children and adults caring for a family member or friend who is ill, frail or disabled.

There are an estimated 800,000 unpaid carers in the North West - many of whom will be young people and children as young as five.

Joanna Lumley said: “I have always considered carers to be the best of the best, and if the honours system were mine to distribute the country would fill up with my new elite, all composed of carers. Carers count: add them to your list of Most Fabulous People.”

Linda Drury, North West Regional Manager for Carers Trust, said: “For many carers, the morning is the most difficult time of the day and they often have to skip breakfast because they simply don’t have time for it.

“We know from research that skipping breakfast can have a negative impact on concentration and memory, so it’s important that carers have time and support to look after themselves too. That’s why we’re asking everyone to get involved with Britain’s Best Breakfast.”

Britain’s Best Breakfast takes place 10-16 October. People are asked to host a breakfast for friends, family and colleagues to help raise money to support more of Britain’s seven million unpaid carers.