LEMBIT SALUTES THE WORK OF POWYS CARERS

5.32.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th Jun 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Lembit Opik has saluted the valuable work of the 14,000 carers in Powys on the eve of National Carers Week from June 12-18.

Mr Opik, MP for Montgomeryshire, attended a public awareness-raising event organised by Powys Carers Service (PCS) in the Corn Exchange at Welshpool Town Hall on Monday, June 12.

Representatives from PCS, Powys Social Service, the Benefits Agency, Pensions Service, Age Concern and the Centre for Independent Living were there to offer a full benefits entitlement check, advice and solve problems.

"This week is about caring for the carers, who are often the unsung heroes of the family," said Mr Opik. "Carers in Powys provide literally millions of hours of care every year and sometimes that can be hard on them.

"National Carers Week provides an ideal opportunity to salute that noble work because, at the end of the day, everybody needs recognition and sometimes those being cared for find it difficult to express how grateful they really are. I am constantly amazed at how much goodness there is in people

"The events being organised across Powys also provide shop window of the support services available for carers themselves. It can be emotionally wearing and sometimes lonely looking after others, but National Carers Week is about showing carers that they are not alone."

PCS is organising a series of event across the county during the week to highlight the range of support available to people who look after a sick or disabled friend, partner or relative.