It is with a heavy heart that we are reaching out to companies, organisations and supporters with an urgent plea for help.

We have just heard that although BBC Children in Need has very kindly funded our work to support children who look after someone in their family, this funding will soon come to an end. The children we have been able to help - thanks to BBC Children in Need - live in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They usually help look after a parent or sibling who has a long-term illness or is disabled.

Children like Sophie, aged 10 (above) miss out on many of the opportunities that other children enjoy, like going to after-school clubs where they can build confidence and make new friends. Many of the children we help are busy at home after school and at weekends helping out with jobs such as cleaning, cooking dinner, and helping with medication. They carry heavy responsibilities at a young age and this can mean they're too tired to complete homework or revision for exams, and may be distracted in class, worried about a family member back at home.

When a child is referred to us we can support the whole family. One of the things the young carers really enjoy is our regular groups where they can take part in craft activities and games with a trained support worker, and enjoy drinks and biscuits together. We run trips for young carers in the school holidays (to places like Hunstanton, water parks, and farms) so they can take a break from looking after someone and just be a child! By getting to know other young carers they feel less alone and less isolated.

It makes a world of difference

Above - loads of fun for young carers on a trip with Caring Together Charity

It costs £310 for us to support a child who looks after someone for a year. This includes all young carers groups and activities, transport costs if needed (they may live in a rural location), volunteer expenses, work with each family, and expert support from trained and experienced staff.