South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman, has teamed up with TV and radio presenter Jonathan Dimbleby to support this year’s Carers Week (8-14 June) and celebrate the contribution made by those people in South Thanet and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

This year, the theme for Carers Week is ‘Carers… the UK’s secret service’ and calls for carers to receive greater recognition for the work they carry out, so vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

Steve met up with Jonathan at the House of Commons to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles. Steve said:

"There are thousands of people in South Thanet who are caring for loved ones. Without their personal sacrifices some of the most vulnerable people in our community would go without the support they need."

"I am taking part in Carers Week to say thank you to every carer but also to make them aware that there are services and support out there to help them. Caring can be demanding and difficult, so it’s important that carers know that they don’t have to cope by themselves."

Jonathan Dimbleby, who has personal experience of being a carer, said:

"Just imagine for a moment what would happen if carers ceased to care and simply gave up. There would be no-one to look after millions of frail, elderly and disabled people. It would be a nightmare: chaos, panic and much worse.

"Of course carers would never behave like that. They are motivated by love, duty and compassion. But those of us who have been in that role, even for a short time, know how testing and draining it can be. That is why Britain's ‘secret service’ must not be forgotten, ignored or exploited."

Other celebrities supporting this campaign, all of whom have experience of caring, include Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir David Jason, Fiona Phillips and Arlene Phillips.

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 10 national charities: Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Caring for Carers, Help the Hospices, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s Disease Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Vitalise and WRVS.

For more information about local events and activities taking place as part of Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582.