Young carers have received a generous donation that helped them at a time they needed it most.

A generous donation from Friends of Dorset Young Carers was received by Dorset Council allowing the authority to spread some cheer to young carers and their families.

The £500 donation enabled the council to provide supermarket vouchers for several families of young carers, at a time when they needed it most.

Another young carer received a new Chromebook to help them access college and several others were gifted cinema tickets

The response from these families has been heart-warming, with many of the recipients expressing their gratitude.

Cllr Byron Quayle, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Children, Education, Skills, and Early Help, said:  “Caring for someone can be very isolating, worrying, and stressful, even more so when you are a child or young person with caring responsibilities.

“A huge thank you to Friends of Dorset Young Carers for their generous donation and continued support for Dorset’s young carers. It is wonderful to see young carers being recognised and rewarded for their efforts.”

A Young Carer is a young person aged between five and 18 who provides significant, regular, or ongoing care, or emotional support to a family member who is mentally ill, physically ill or disabled.

Debbie Dunford, chair of Friends of Dorset Young Carers, added: “The members of the committee of the Friends of Dorset Young Carers charity are pleased to be able to help young carers individually with items to enhance their lives, and to help them cope with the extra duties they need to perform in their lives to undertake their caring duties.

“We were delighted to be able to donate £500 for food vouchers at Christmas, and to provide a computer and cinema tickets for Young Carers and their families.

“This funding was available because of donations from Bryan Cole, retired members of the Royal Dragoon Guards, Swanage Carnival, Sturminster Newton Rotary Club, and the Parochial Church Council at Powerstock.”

More information about the different support available to young carers can be found on the Dorset Council website.