Next Saturday (13th June) I will be running a half-marathon to raise money for Trafford Carers Centre. With the Great Manchester Run postponed until September, I have kept training and will instead complete a solo 21.1km run during Carers Week. 

I have been on a student work placement with Trafford Carers Centre since February, and have witnessed first-hand the important work that the centre does to support unpaid carers looking after someone in Trafford. Through my work with the Young Carers team I have met many inspiring young people, in the process developing a deep respect for the often unrecognised care and support they provide to loved ones.   

Unpaid carers are our unsung heroes, undertaking roles that quite often takes them out of their comfort zone and can at times be challenging. This often leads to a carer reaching breakdown point and unsure of where to turn to for support. The coronavirus pandemic has added an extra level of stress and with little to no respite break more and more carers are needing additional support. 

Trafford Carers Centre supports carers from age 5 upwards by offering emotional support through the casework team or dedicated counsellors, financial support through assessing benefits (In the last 12 months the benefit advisor helped to secure over £600,000 of unclaimed benefits), health support through a dedicated carers nurse, isolation support through online groups and they will be shortly launching a befriending project to work with carers who are in complete isolation. 

To raise money I will be using my exercise allowance to run a half-marathon in my local area.

Please donate what you can to support our heroes!