As the UK marks Young Carer's Action Day today (Wednesday), Richmond Council has launched its fourth annual appeal of the Richmond Voluntary Fund with all funds raised going to local charities supporting young carers.

There are currently over one thousand young people in the Richmond borough who care for members of their family, often at a cost of their education, social development and mental wellbeing.

The Voluntary Fund, an independent charitable trust, has been set up to give the local community the opportunity to donate to local organisations who make a difference to vulnerable people in the borough and offer respite to young carers from their daily responsibilities.

This year, the Fund will be supporting Crossroads Care, River Thames Boat Project and Richmond Carers Centre.

Cllr Penny Frost, Chair of Richmond Council's Education and children's Service Committee, said: "The responsibilities that come with caring for others, whether a parent or sibling, is a huge challenge for young people. It significantly impacts their daily lives, their wellbeing, and their future.

"There are an estimated 800,000 young carers in the UK, some as young as five, and around 27% between the ages of 11 and 15 miss school due to their care responsibilities.

"Our young carers require support and respite to help them overcome these challenges, lead fulfilling lives and remain at the heart of their families."

The Richmond Voluntary Fund has been setup as an alternative means of support for vulnerable people within the borough as Richmond Council alongside other London council's continue to work under severely reduced budgets.

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Last year, residents of Richmond upon Thames came together to raise a remarkable £75,000 which was split between Richmond Carers Centre, Off The Record, ADHD Embrace and Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation.

The funding was then used to support the organisations in providing their range of services including counselling services to young vulnerable people requiring support with their mental and emotional health and providing respite activities in term time and over school holidays for young carers.

Gillian Norton, Chair of the Richmond Voluntary Fund, added: "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of residents in Richmond Upon Thames, as we raised over £75,000 for the four charities last year.

"The Voluntary Fund is a great way for those who want, and are able, to make a real difference to people in our community with the greatest need. I want to thank all those who have donated to the last three appeals and to those who will donate this year."

For more information on Young Carer's Action Day and how you can get involved, click here.

For further details on the Richmond Voluntary Fund and the organisations it will be supporting throughout 2023, visit the link here.