A CHARITY which supports unpaid carers across the district is hailing the success of an online celebration.

Carers’ Resource went ‘virtual’ with events to mark national Carers Week.

Nearly 250 people joined-in the activities. And of those, 50 were young carers aged under 18.

Chris Whiley, the charity’s chief executive officer, said: “We had 22 events on YouTube, Facebook and Google Meet – ranging from mindfulness to dancing and a quiz– and our young carers took part in virtual escape rooms and bingo. The feedback we have received has been incredibly positive.

“We were conscious though that not everyone is online, so we worked hard to create offline activities too.

“We asked people to raise a glass or mug of their favourite drink wherever they were at the start of Carers Week to honour carers and we sent out ‘craft packs’ to 20 people who couldn’t join an online session. We also delivered more than 100 bunches of flowers to adult carers – and 25 recipe packs to young carers for a bake-off competition.”

The week also saw 18 staff and supporters – with their families – take on a challenge to walk, run or cycle 25 kilometres to mark the 25th anniversary of Carers’ Resource and raise funds. Collectively they coined-in nearly £2,000. The cause was also supported by pupils at Skipton Academy, who baked and sold cakes.

To close the week, the charity posted a video of young carers thanking NHS workers – it can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=51_9hOq11X8.

Ms Whiley said the theme of Carers Week was ‘making carers visible’ – and she hoped the charity had helped achieve that.

She added: “Carers are unseen and unsung more than ever during the coronavirus crisis.

“We have been delivering services throughout lockdown to carers who have needed us for a range of issues including information or advice, someone to talk to or help with forms. Our hospital support services and paid-for regulated care service Care@ Carers’ Resource have also been kept open.”

Carers’ Resource can be contacted via carersresource.org/contact or by calling 01274 449660, 01423 500555 or 01756 700888. The charity also has Facebook and Twitter accounts and a dedicated website for young carers at youngcarersresource.org.