YOUNG performers and their families from Stagecoach Theatre Arts Keighley and Skipton have raised more than £700 for young carers.

The theatre group fundraised with a collection and raffle at their summer showcase performance at Bingley Arts Centre.The money will go to fund activities and trips for young carers who are supported by Skipton-based Carers’ Resource.

Young carers help to look after someone, often a parent or a sibling, who has an illness or disability.

Carers’ Resource provides a range of support to help young carers, including fun trips and activities in school holidays, youth clubs and one-to-one support.

Helen Prince, Head of Young Carers and Families at Carers’ Resource, said: “We’re very grateful to Stagecoach Theatre Arts School for choosing to raise money for local young carers.

“We rely on donations and fundraising to allow us to run trips and activities for young carers which help to give them a break.

“Some young carers do lots of physical tasks at home to help their parents or siblings, such as cooking and cleaning or helping someone take medicines or get washed. Some young carers spend a lot of time worrying about their loved ones, or staying at home to be with them.

“Our youth clubs and days out allow young carers to get away from their responsibilities, have fun and experience new things.”

This summer, Carers’ Resource organised a range of exciting activities, including paddleboarding, alpaca trekking, and visiting Go Ape, Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival, Fountains Abbey, Hardcastle Crags and White Scar Caves. In addition, the charity arranged a day out at Junkyard Golf in Leeds with young adult carers.

Events were made possible by funding from FEAST, a Holiday Activities and Food programme, and generous donations from White Scar Caves and Nidderdale Llamas, as well as donations.

Carers’ Resource aims to support young carers’ wellbeing and resilience, to help them achieve their potential as successful, happy adults.

If you are able to help with fundraising for young carers’ trips and activities, please email fundraising@carersresource.org or call  0808 50 15 939.