CARER Support Wiltshire is asking the readers of the Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times to help combat the devastating effects of loneliness and isolation among the county’s thousands of unpaid carers by backing a fundraising appeal.

The charity is running its £25,000 Community Connections Appeal to help stamp out feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing breaks for carers and putting them back in touch with their communities. So far, the appeal has raised almost £10,000.

“A report from the Jo Cox Commission for Loneliness and Carers UK shows more than eight in ten surveyed unpaid carers described themselves as ‘lonely or socially isolated’ due to their caring responsibilities,” said Catharine Hurford, chief executive of Carer Support Wiltshire. “With three in five of us set to be a carer at some point in our lives that’s a lot of people suffering in silence.”

The appeal will help people like Danielle Hewer, 26, from Chippenham, who has just been named Carer of the Year at the Wiltshire Life Awards. First Danielle cared for her brother, who died of cancer, and now she supports her mum, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is in a wheelchair. When Danielle was 24 her father left the family home and she had to give up work to be her mum’s main carer. For Danielle, a few hours off to do an activity or to go out with friends provides the lifeline she needs.

Readers of the Wiltshire Times and Gazette & Herald, people in Wiltshire and the county’s businesses can help the Community Connections Appeal through donations, by holding a fundraising event, or just through a simple act of kindness such as befriending a carer in their community.

Among those supporting the appeal are the customers at Pewsey Co-op. One per cent of all the sales of Co-op own-brand goods and carrier bags goes to three local causes, including the Community Connections Appeal.

Store manager Simon Bush said: “It’s a great way to help local causes, and the Community Connections Appeal is a fantastic one to be supporting.”

Carer Support Wiltshire is also hoping to connect carers with groups and activities that are already going on in their community, as a way of bringing communities together.

To find out more about the appeal and how to help, contact Carer Support Wiltshire’s fundraising team via email to fundraising@carersinwiltshire.co.uk or by calling 01380 871690. Carer Support Wiltshire’s website has a dedicated Community Connections Appeal page: https://carersinwiltshire.co.uk/i-want-to-help/