John Baron MP calls for greater recognition for the UK’s six million carers

MP supports Carers Week (13-19 June)

John Baron MP, has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Rippon to support this year’s Carers Week (13-19 June) which recognises the contribution made by those people in Basildon and Billericay and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

John said:

“Thousands of people in Basildon and Billericay sacrifice their time, money and health in order to care for a loved one. Carers Week is about highlighting their contribution to both our local community and to wider society, and also to let them know that there are services out there to help them.”

Angela Rippon has personal experience of being a carer. She says:

“For a number of years now I’ve become aware of the extraordinary job that carers do throughout this country. I feel that it’s important that anybody who has any knowledge at all stands up and be counted for them and make the job that they do public, because they should not be invisible, they should be out there and being seen as the heroes and heroines that they are.

“It’s a strain that people accept willingly and lovingly, and if they’re prepared to do that, I think that as a civilised nation we should be prepared to do something in return.”

Other celebrities supporting this campaign include Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Jason OBE, Jack Charlton OBE and Martin Lewis.

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 9 national charities: Age UK, Carers UK, Counsel & Care, Crossroads Care, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

For more information about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org.

Notes to Editors

• Carers Week 2011 takes place from 13-19 June, and highlights the vital work carried out by those who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

• Carers Week campaigns for greater recognition and support for carers; to ensure that all carers know that they are not alone, and that help and services are available.