Family Carers Ireland has made an urgent appeal to the public to get behind its national fundraising drive ‘Paws for a Cause’ to support family carers in crisis. With the rising cost of living hitting family carers disproportionately harder, the charity is seeing unprecedented numbers seeking help.
People are being asked to walk or run 24km during National Carers Week, 13th -19th June, to raise vital funds for struggling family carers.
There are currently 500,000 family carers in Ireland, that is 1 in every 8 adults, and 67,000 young carers (aged 10-17), with this number continuing to rise.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy, Family Carers Ireland: “Our national Crisis Fund provides a vital lifeline to families by providing emergency respite, counselling and emotional support as well as helping to purchase practical support items including hoists and wheelchairs and in especially difficult cases, puts food on tables. Many family carers face financial hardship and a constant battle to access essential services and supports and have simply nowhere else left to turn.”
