Liberal Democrats in Ashfield back Carers' Week

8.15.02pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jun 2008

A leading Liberal Democrat in Ashfield has given his backing to Carers' Week to show support for the thousands of local residents who care for dependent relatives and friends.

Carers Week is a partnership of 10 UK-wide charities (Carers UK, Counsel and Care; Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Neurological Alliance, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and WRVS) to promote the unpaid work done by the six million people in the UK who support and care for others.

Carers Week starts on 9th June and runs until 15th June.

"I decided to back Carers' Week as I have seen how hard many people work to support relatives and friends with illnesses or conditions which make them dependent on others," said Leader of Ashfield District Council, Councillor Jason Zadrozny, who was himself a carer of a close relative for a number of years.

"One in six people cares in some way for another person. That is a huge army of people who by their efforts help others to live as normal a life as possible at home, rather than being dependent on health services and other groups for support.

"Many carers work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and too often, the contribution they make is not recognised by society generally. By supporting Carers' Week, I hope to highlight the work carers do and hopefully raise awareness amongst the general public of their importance."