Vince Cable

MP, Vincent Cable is joining celebrities including Cilla Black, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Sheila Hancock to give his support to this year's Carers Week (June 14-20).

Carers Week is an annual event that supports the UK's six million carers - people who look after a sick or disabled friend, partner or relative. Many carers are not aware of the services available to them, and the thousands of events taking place help to highlight the support that exists.

"Having helped to care for my husband Bobby - who sadly died of cancer in 1999 - I am very aware of how difficult, yet rewarding, looking after someone can be," says Cilla Black.

Vincent Cable said: "I have been through the same experience caring for a terminally ill loved one. The pressures on carers are very great and I have enormous respect for people who care in far more difficult circumstances than I faced."

"The theme for Carers Week 2004 is health; two-thirds of carers who provide care for more than 50 hours per week say their health has been affected by caring."

"Carers make an invaluable contribution to our community and deserve the support of us all. None of us know when we may need looking after ourselves as a result of illness or injury. It can happen to anyone.

"There is help and support available for people who have caring responsibilities. I would urge everyone in Twickenham who looks after someone to contact their local carers group as soon as possible."

Paul Matz, Carers Week Manager, says: "We are very grateful to Vincent Cable for supporting the tenth annual Carers Week. If it helps even one individual to access vital support, it will have been worthwhile."

Vincent Cable will be joining carers at the Carers Centre in Queens Road Twickenham on Wednesday 16 June to publicise Carers Week. He has taken up on behalf of local cares the issue of local hospitals who take no account of the needs of carers who have to be there in support of their relatives.

"Hospitals vary greatly. Some, including - I regret to say - local hospitals, ignore carers and regard them as a nuisance. Others are more positive and see the advantages of taking pressure off nurses".

Notes:

· 2004 is the tenth annual Carers Week, jointly organised by four national charities - Carers UK, Crossroads Caring for Carers, The MS Society and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

· For further details of Carers Week events, and other information about carers and Carers Week, visit www.carersweek.org