Radio show will discuss caring

Published 12 Jun 2009 08:00 0 Comments

BBC RADIO Berkshire is joining The Chronicle"s 'I Care' campaign highlighting the work of carers and is hosting a discussion tomorrow (Saturday).

Carers will be joining Anne Diamond during her 9am-midday show to talk about their experiences.

Anne said: 'I"m so pleased that we can tell the stories of Berkshire"s carers on my programme. They"re a hidden army who often put their own lives on hold to help the people they love. They deserve every bit of help and recognition that we can given them.'

Fellow BBC Radio Berkshire presenter Debbie McGee has also backed the campaign and said: 'It"s important to make everybody aware of the pressure carers are under. They often end up ill themselves because of the stress.'

Her husband, the magician Paul Daniels, added: 'A lot of carers work one on one and it"s a 24 hour non-stop job and they can never switch off.

'I don"t think people are aware that if the carers weren"t there it would cost the Government more than the Iraq war. They take so much financial weight off the country by doing what they do - otherwise we would have to provide full time nursing care. I really respect them.'

Reading West MP Martin Salter also backed greater recognition for carers and said: 'I"ll be attending a number of events in support of Carers" Week both at the House of Commons and at Reading Civic Offices.

'Carers make a huge contribution to our society, saving the economy a staggering £87bn a year, and with people now living longer, three in five of us are likely to become carers at some point in our lives so it is important we show support for the vital work that they do.'

Share your experiences of caring by writing to Newsroom, Reading Chronicle, Portman Road, Reading RG30 1BA call 0118 963 3156 or email rharland@berksmedia.co.uk

Listen to BBC Radio Berkshire on 95.4 and 104.1 FM tomorrow (Saturday) 9am-midday for Anne Diamond's show.

Tweet

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 11 Jun 09

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle