“Carers are unsung heroes and without them the NHS simply could not function.

12:00pm Sunday 18th March 2012 in News

Pembrokeshire’s newly-appointed Carers’ Champions aim to make people aware of the vital work carers provide across the county.

County Council representative Cllr David Bryan, of Haverfordwest, said that there is often confusion about the word carer.

“A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, parent, child, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help,” he said.

“Carers are not paid. They are not professional, paid careworkers. They are family, they are friends, and when they need support and respite they can be assured that care for them, the carer, is just a phonecall away.”

Chris Martin, chairman of Hywel Dda Health Board is representative for the board and a carer himself.

Mr Martin said: “I am dad to my beautiful son Richard who is now 14, and was diagnosed with Autism from an early age, and along with my wife and daughter, I care for him daily.

“Carers are unsung heroes and without them the NHS simply could not function.

They are looking after loved ones day-in-day out and they do so with great affection and love.

“Representing the cause of carers is something I try to bring into everything I do and I am always available to speak to anyone who wishes to raise any issue or who may require my support.”

Both men now wish to attend Pembrokeshire organisations to lend support and take comments and issues to officers.

Carers can call Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) on 01437 771196 or Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 764551.

http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/9596381.Pair_champion_county_carers/