Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
Over 8 weeks from 25th August  I will be swimming the equivalent of the English Channel - just over 22 miles -  to raise funds to improve the lives of Young Carers in the UK.  This equates to around 1,770 pool lengths in total, or 220 lengths each week (and somewhat more after those weeks when I'm travelling and land-locked!)

Over 6,000 children in the UK look after a physically or mentally disabled parent, often as the sole carer in the household.  Many of these also take on the parenting of younger siblings, and will frequently miss school in order to provide nursing care for their parents, who often have learning difficulties as well as chronic physical illnesses. Locked in a cycle of overwhelming responsibility coupled with feelings of  desperation and inadequacy, these children become alienated from their peers and urgently need support networks and a temporary respite from their life at home. 

Their average age is just 12; over half have been cooking, cleaning and trying to manage the intimate personal care and medication of their parent for more than 3 years; some for as long as they can remember - it defines their childhood.

Your donations will go to help provide care and support from these children; details of some of the programmes and initiatives ongoing can be found at www.youngcarers.net.

Many thanks for your support!

Kate

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Princess Royal Trust for Carers gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!