Mayor’s charities to benefit from fund raising ball

The borough of Cheshire East has 170 young people known to the Council as young carers.

These are usually the sons and daughters of parents with a severe disability or who, for another reason, are unable to care for themselves and therefore rely almost totally on a much younger person for support.

They might have an older sibling with health or mental health problems who requires support and care on a regular basis.

But the Council believes there are many others out there who are not known to the authority but who, like all other young carers, has a different way of life to their peers.

It is estimated there could be as many as 8,000 young carers in the whole of Cheshire – some as young as nine – and as many as 250,000 across the UK.

Cheshire Young Carers is one of two charities chosen by the Mayor of Cheshire East this year.

Councillor Olivia Hunter is hoping that this particular charity, together with The Christie, will receive a significant boost from the Mayor’s annual ball, which will take place at Cranage Hall, Holmes Chapel on October 15.

Councillor Hunter said: “There are so many young carers in society whose work behind their front door is not always recognised or known about.

“Young children, teenagers and young adults find themselves living a different way of life to their friends in the street or at school and in many cases they may not attend school or college because of the demands placed upon their time through caring for an older relative or loved one.

“I do hope that residents and businesses in particular, will support the Mayor’s Ball this year, knowing that they can be making a real difference to the life of a young carer, many of whom need respite from their daily commitments.

“Cheshire Young Carers provides a wide range of support, including mentoring, health and well being programmes and help with education.

“I am also supporting The Christie because of the fantastic work that is done at this hospital.

“Anyone who has a relative who has been treated there, or who has had the misfortune to be treated for cancer themselves, will be fully aware of the truly wonderful work that is done by the Christie staff and the amazing results they achieve in helping people to get through this disease and recover, and with the quality of clinical and emotional support this hospital provides in that period of end of life care.

“I was a young carer myself from the age of nine and have also experienced the great shock and devastation one experiences when a loved one is struck with cancer.”

Tickets for the black tie event are available at £45 each and everyone attending will enjoy a glass of bubbly and a three course dinner. In addition, anyone buying 10 tickets will receive two complimentary bottles of wine for their table.

The evening will include a raffle and a charity auction.

Cllr Hunter said: “I would like to encourage as many people as possible to buy tickets and support this worthwhile event. The Mayor’s Charity Ball is a great opportunity for people to have an enjoyable evening and at the same time raise money for two deserving causes.

“I’ve already had a great selection of exciting prizes donated for both the raffle and the charity auction and I’m sure that we will raise a considerable amount for Cheshire Young Carers and The Christie.”

For further information and to book places at the Mayor’s Charity Ball please contact Nicola carberry or ring 01270 686475.

For further information about Cheshire Young Carers or The Christie Charity go to:

http://www.cheshireyoungcarers.org/Help.aspx

or

http://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/