WE recently marked National Carers Rights Day with more than 400 events taking place throughout the country. Our aim was to raise awareness of the benefits and support available to those who provide unpaid care.

What readers may not know is the worrying extent of ill-health among carers. New research we published on the day shows that full-time carers are more than twice as likely to suffer ill-health compared to those without caring responsibilities.

Carers can obtain a free copy of our Carers Rights Guide, a new booklet that gives an overview of the main rights and entitlements available to carers. Free copies can be obtained by ringing our 24-hour hotline 020 8880 8125, visiting our website: www.carersuk.org or emailing: carersrightsday@carersuk.org

IMELDA REDMOND,

chief executive,

Carers UK.