Emily has teamed up with TV presenter Angela Rippon to support this year’s Carers Week and recognise the contribution made by carers in Islington and throughout the UK.

Emily said:

“I am giving Carers Week my full support because the work carers do is too often overlooked.

“Thousands of people in Islington sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. It can be incredibly demanding, and carers often don’t get the recognition they deserve for the hard work they do.”

The theme for Carers Week 2011 is ‘The True Face of Carers’ -; with Age UK, Carers UK and other organisations calling for greater recognition for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities and for the vital work they carry out.

Emily met with Angela at the House of Commons to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles.

As well as her starring TV roles, Angela Rippon has personal experience of being a carer.

Angela Rippon said:

 “For a number of years now I’ve become aware of the extraordinary job that carers do throughout this country. I feel that it’s important that anybody who has any knowledge at all stands up and be counted for them and make the job that they do public, because they should not be invisible, they should be out there and being seen as the heroes and heroines that they are.

 “It’s a strain that people accept willingly and lovingly, and if they’re prepared to do that, I think that as a civilised nation we should be prepared to do something in return.”

Other people supporting carers and Carers Week include Dame Judi Dench, Sir David Jason OBE, Jack Charlton OBE and Martin Lewis.