Local MP Beith calls for greater recognition for the UK's six million carers

2.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th May 2009

"Thousands of people are carers and they deserve our recognition and support for the wonderful job they do," says MP Alan Beith.

Local MP Sir Alan Beith has teamed up with TV and radio presenter Jonathan Dimbleby to support this year's Carers Week (8-14 June) and celebrate the contribution made by those people in the Berwick upon Tweed constituency and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

This year, the theme for Carers Week is 'Carers… the UK's secret service' and calls for carers to receive greater recognition for the work they carry out, so vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

Alan Beith met up with Jonathan at the House of Commons to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles. He said:

"There are thousands of people in the Berwick upon Tweed constituency who sacrifice their time - and often their health, finances, work and social life - in order to care for a loved one. They deserve to be recognised for the priceless contribution they make, both to our local community and to society at large.

"I am taking part in Carers Week firstly to express my gratitude and respect for our carers, but also to make them aware that there are services and support out there to help them. Caring can be demanding and difficult, so it's important that carers know that they don't have to struggle on alone."

Jonathan Dimbleby, who has personal experience of being a carer, said:

"Just imagine for a moment what would happen if carers ceased to care and simply gave up. There would be no-one to look after millions of frail, elderly and disabled people. It would be a nightmare: chaos, panic and much worse.

"Of course carers would never behave like that. They are motivated by love, duty and compassion. But those of us who have been in that role, even for a short time, know how testing and draining it can be. That is why Britain's 'secret service' must not be forgotten, ignored or exploited."

Other celebrities supporting this campaign, all of whom have experience of caring, include Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir David Jason, Fiona Phillips and Arlene Phillips.

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 10 national charities: Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson's Disease Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Vitalise and WRVS.

For more information about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582.