A husband - whose wife is suffering the effects of a stroke - has been inspired to volunteer at a health service.
Les Readfearn, from Burnley, discovered the Lancashire Care Service after his wife, Linda, had a stroke nine years ago, and finds the work "extremely rewarding."
Former manufacturing manager, Mr Readfearn, remembered: "Life was good, things were ticking along nicely.
"I was about to travel to Malaysia for work."
Mr Readfearn added: "It came as a complete shock to us.
"Within minutes, my daughter shouted to me, 'Mum’s having a stroke'."
Mrs Redfearn underwent a six-month hospital stay, and life for the family was completely altered.
A full-time carer, Mr Readfearn is now being celebrated by the Lancashire Carers Service for his extra volunteering.
He said: "I also now volunteer for the Lancashire Carers Service and have been doing this for the past 3-4 years. This has been extremely rewarding and given me a break from my caring role for 4 hours a week."
The service also provide avenues for the Readfearns to manage the struggles they faced daily.
Mr Readfearn explained: "We plan our days around Linda, due to her medication she sleeps around 14 hours a day, so we do everything between the hours of 12pm – 7pm.
"Being a part of the Lancashire Carers Service has helped take away some of the ‘what ifs’ and replaced it with some reassurance if an emergency did occur.
"I get a carers' budget and find this payment once a year fantastic."
The Lancashire Carers Service, commissioned by Lancashire County Council, not only provides support and emergency planning but also conducts social activities and numerous carer-oriented programs.
Last year, they reached out to 21,630 carers across the county.
The upcoming Carers' Week 2024, scheduled from June 10-16, will see the service spotlighting volunteers' work.
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