BLACKBURN, England, September 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

There are 16,500 carers in Blackburn with Darwen. 

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service, in partnership with the Whitehall Hotel and Restaurant in Darwen and The Olive Branch Restaurant, Kingsway is gearing up to take part in Britain's Best Breakfast, a national fundraising campaign organised by Carers Trust raising money to support unpaid carers.

There are 16,500 carers as mentioned in the Borough, many of whom would struggle without support from their local Carers Service.

Britain's Best Breakfast will encourage people to hold a breakfast event during October 17-19 2014 for their friends, family and work colleagues and raise money for Carers Trust. For more information about the campaign text egg to 70660 or visit.http://www.britainsbestbreakfast.org

Money raised through Britain's Best Breakfast will help your local Centre.

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service, support more unpaid carers through its direct work with carers and people with care needs like Christine, who is a fulltime carer for her mother with Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia.  Christine gave up her full time professional job to look after her mother.  (For more information about the campaign visit http://www.britainsbestbreakfast.org)

BwD Carers Service is a Network Partner of Carers Trust, the UK's largest charity supporting carers. Locally, our Carers Service supports over 3,000  carers in the Borough and wish to support more.

Support includes:

A very professional, passionate and dedicated carers team who have a vast amount of knowledge and experience on issues pertaining to carers and their families.

12 weeks adviser support and full access to all other services and activities for as long as a carer needs our support.

Befriending scheme which ensures carers have further support from a volunteer where or when needed, or requested.

Quarterly newsletters, which provide any updates on issues/changes around government policies in regards to carers, as well as a host of other information such as groups/activities/training/workshops that carers can access.

Fundraising, Carers Crazy Crafts

BUT MOST OF ALL Carers being the ultimate focus - Our service is the only service that support YOU.

Nationally, there are 7 Million unpaid carers in the UK and three in five of us will become a carer at some point in our lives. Research also shows that:

• In England and Wales, just under one million (950,000) people over 65 are carers. 
• 65% of older carers (aged 60-94) have long-term health problems or a disability themselves.
• One in five carers gives up employment to care. 

"We know from talking to the carers that we support - that many of them do struggle with their caring responsibilities. That is why we need to offer them help, health and well-being advice and respite breaks. We are taking part in this fundraising campaign to help many more carers in our area. Carers come from all walks of life and almost all will need support from our service."

Christine is a fulltime carer and looks after her mother with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.  Over the years, Christine has accessed our service, with the initial 12 week package but also as a continuous carer.  Due to changes in her circumstances and mothers health, Christine now dips in and out of our support and open door policy service. Christine states that "I would not be in a good place, if it was not for the Carers Service.  When my mother first fell ill - 4 years ago, it was my own GP that gave me the Carers Service number and to him I will always be indebted".

Further information: 

For more information please contact:

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service, Kingsway, Greenhurst Place, Blackburn, BB2 1NA.  Telephone: +44(0)1254-688440, e-mail: office@bwdcarers.org.uk

Notes to editors: 

1. Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service
2. Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. We do this with our Network Partners - a unique network of 124 independent carers' centres, 73 Crossroads Care schemes and 107 young carer's services. Together we work as one organisation united by a shared vision for carers - to make sure that information, advice and practical support are available to all carers across the UK.

SOURCE Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service