You're giving young carers some much needed time out

Every morning before school Benji and Jessica get their big brother, George^, 18, in the shower, brush his teeth, get his clothes ready for the day and give him his medication.

They always knew there was something not quite right but it wasn't until December last year that he was officially diagnosed with schizophrenia, psychotic depression and type 1 diabetes.

Sadly their dad, Peter^ lost his leg in an horrific car crash and has been in and out of hospital with complications ever since.

Jessica says, "Caring for my dad and George is doing lots of little things like washing up or finding tablets for them to take. We all try and help George. I worry about dad because he can't balance so well."

Thanks to you, Benji and Jessica can go to a project that supports young carers like them. For them and others like them who have surrendered much of their childhood to their family responsibilities, having a place to go to, makes a huge difference to their daily lives

"It gives us a break away from the pressures at home," says Benji. "We can meet other young carers. We don’t feel like we’re being judged or misunderstood."

You've supported organisations across the UK, like Tykes in East Sutherland, Scotland; Crossroads in Northern Ireland; Carers Trust in Tyne & Wear and Gloucester Young Carers, to name but a few. Thanks to you, Benji, Jessica and thousands of children like them, get the support they need and time to be kids again.

^Names have been changed to protect their identity.