Crossroads Care, on Smailes Lane, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, has been providing advice and support to hundreds of young carers across the region since it formed in 1996.

But to continue offering carers the respite and support they need, the group has turned to the Chronicle’s Wish campaign.

Last year the group spent the money they received from Wish on helping their young carers, but this year they want the funding to benefit everyone they support.

Once again we are dishing out £50,000 between worthy causes registered on our Wish list.

This year we have 275 local groups taking part, all hoping to get their hands on a slice of the cash.

All groups taking part are guaranteed a share of the cash, with the amount they receive dependent on the number of tokens they manage to collect.

The more tokens groups collect, the bigger their share of the cash prize.

As readers you can get involved by collecting tokens on behalf of your chosen group.

Crossroads Care Gateshead are once again hoping to win the support of their community so they can use a large chunk of the £50,000 up for grabs on carers.

Pauline Steele, chief officer at Crossroads Care, said: “We have been thinking of maybe buying a piece of equipment that could be used in the centre to benefit everyone.

“We have young and adult carers who come in and we thought we would buy a new hi-fi system because we use a lot of music with the carers, it is very therapeutic.”

The group support carers living in Gateshead and they provide practical services, information and advice to carers to help them in their caring role and give them time for themselves.

“I think carers are a very hidden group of people and undervalued in society, and I think it is important to get behind people who, for nothing, look after other people,” said Pauline.

“A lot of people do not even realise they are carers. They say, ‘It’s my mum’ but they are a carer.

“I think people should get behind it. A carer could be anyone you know.

“There are a lot of hidden carers out there,” she added.

Registered groups in this year’s competition range from sports clubs to schools, older folks’ organisations, charities and community groups.

The one common factor between them is they are all enhancing the quality of life for others.

But everyone taking part desperately needs the support of their community, so chose the group you want to back and collect tokens on their behalf.

To support Crossroads Care Gateshead through the Wish campaign, post your tokens to Crossroads Care Gateshead, The Old School, Smailes Lane, Highfield, Rowlands Gill, NE39 2DB.

I think it is important to get behind people who, for nothing, look after other people