Celebrity Supporters
Claire King says: "When you are a carer, you give love and dedication to your friend or relative, and it is incredibly rewarding. I know because I care for my father, on a regularbasis. But many of the millions of carers in the UK are also experiencing ill-health, both physically and emotionally. I want to see carers being cared for, feeling supported and valued, which is why I'm supporting Carers Week."
Coleen Nolan and her sisters were one of the most successful female groups of all time. Coleen retired from the group to raise a family but then returned to the entertainment industry as a very popular television presenter on shows like Loose Women, This Morning and The Wright Stuff. She says: "I take my hat off to every carer out there, especially those that care single-handedly. I hope by supporting Carers Week I can help…
Hollywood actress Dame Judi Dench is supporting Carers Week 2011. The Oscar-winning British icon is famous for playing 'M' in the James Bond films among many other unforgettable roles on stage and screen. She is also set to make an appearance in the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film, due to be released later this year. Dame Judi cared for her husband Michael who had lung cancer. He died in January 2001. She says: "As…
Legendary cricketer David Gower helped with Carers Week celebrations in Romsey, Hampshire.
Denise Robertson says: “Carers face many challenges each day which in themselves can be exhausting without the worry of ill-health. As an agony aunt and from talking to people that are experiencing difficulties when caring for others, I know that there are still many people suffering in silence and struggling to cope. If I can help raise awareness of the role that carers carry out, and show them that there is support available, then I am…
Dr Chris Steele was a Manchester GP and for many years ITV’s This Morning Health expert. He said: “I am delighted to give my continuing support for Carers Week and its focus on a carer’s right to ‘A life of my own’. Many non-carers take their free-time for granted, whether it’s going to the cinema or meeting with family and friends. As a GP I have met many carers who have never received any help…
Dr. Rosemary Leonard’s is the regular doctor on the Breakfast programme on BBC 1, and also writes a weekly page for the Daily Express and various magazines. Rosemary was awarded an M.B.E. for her services to healthcare and is still very much a practicing doctor, working as a partner in a busy practice in South London. She said: “Carers are an unseen army, battling compassionately and steadfastly every day for those they love. It‘s our…
Fiona Phillips said: “I helped to care for my mother for almost 10 years during her long and painful battle with Alzheimer’s. After she died, my father was also diagnosed with the disease, and I am now looking after him every weekend. One of the hardest things to cope with is the sense of isolation and lack of support, despite the fact that there are over six million people in the UK in the same…
Gloria Hunniford says: “Carers are invaluable - their lives differ and their experiences do too. During my daughter Caron's seven year battle with cancer, I had the support of my family but many carers don't have those support networks, and struggle on alone, and I know it can be a lonely experience. Carers Week works to assist the millions of unsung heroes out there, which is why I'm backing this terrific initiative.”
TV personality Graham Norton believes carers should get more recognition for the work they do. He says: “I was staggered to hear that carers save the Exchequer £87 billion every year. That’s the same cost as running a second NHS. Carers work so hard, they deserve all the support we can give them. Carers Week is an ideal opportunity to spread the word.“
World Cup winner, Jack Charlton OBE, helped to care for his mother. The footballing legend says: "The UK’s six million carers come from all walks of life. They are stay-at-home parents, celebrities, and yes, even footballers. What they all have in common is their incredible hard work and dedication, many of them sacrificing all of their time to care for somebody in need. I’m proud to back Carers Week and the call for the support…
Jenni Murray has had a long and distinguished media career; one of her best-known roles is as presenter of Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4. She cared for both her parents as their health deteriorated and chared the national Carers Question Time event in 2008.
Jenni Trent Hughes is most often recognized as the stern but highly entertaining relationships expert from Channel 4’s The Perfect Match. She says: "Carers are tremendously generous people who often make great changes to their own life to help someone else without a word of complaint. The number of young people who are carers is also astonishing. I interviewed a girl on her 11th birthday who had been caring for her mother since she was…
John Stapleton cared for his mum who had Parkinson’s, and then for his wife, Lynne Faulds-Woods, when she contracted bowel cancer. He says: "Working without pay and often with little recognition - many carers give up their lives as they once knew them, but never give up on caring. They are not the forgotten few, but the forgotten millions. This Carers Week let's speak up for carers - let's not leave them isolated and lonely,…
