02 April 2024
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The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has chosen Carers UK as its nominated charity for 2024.
Two out of three people in the UK will become carers at some time in their lives. According to current statistics, around five million UK residents are carers, and every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility.
The Carers UK charity, chosen by recently elected president Stacey Lucas, provides help and support for the 5.7 million carers across the whole of the UK. So, as an organisation that prides itself on working with local communities, as well as large-scale associations, the BCIA is absolutely delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile cause.
Lucas said: “So many people are touched by the need to care for a loved one, or will likely be in the future, so I feel this is a charity that speaks to all. Kate Garraway has really highlighted the plight of carers lately and she is absolutely right. Nobody realises how hard it is until you are in it.
“My mum had MS and required a lot of care throughout her life and mine. She had relapsing MS when I was a child, which would mean periods where she was physically unwell and needed a lot of support. When I was a teenager, her MS moved to secondary progressive, resulting in her giving up work completely. So, I dropped out of my A-Levels to financially support our household with my grandmother. We then navigated our way through her illness and care needs through the next 20-odd years until she passed away at home with us in 2018.
“Trying to care, manage care, have a career, relationships and a family together is so exhausting that any support that can be given is a complete blessing. Carers UK work hard to raise awareness and lobby the government to improve the lives of unpaid carers, as well as offer advice and support to those who desperately need it.”
Laura Doughty, Director of Income Generation and Communications at Carers UK, said: “We are so grateful to be named charity of the year by the Buildings Controls Industry Association (BCIA).
“There are 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK looking after an ill, elderly or disabled relative or friend. Many are under intense emotional and financial pressure as they juggle work and caring responsibilities, often struggling to make ends meet, choosing sometimes between eating and heating their homes.
“We often hear that unpaid carers feel forgotten and invisible, yet the care they deliver is crucial to those they are helping and the value equivalent of £162 billion – that's a second NHS.”
“We thank the BCIA for acknowledging the important contribution unpaid carers make to society through this partnership and we look forward to the two years ahead.”
The BCIA will be asking members to plan corporate activities throughout the year as part of an ongoing fundraising initiative. All donations and activities can be linked to the BCIA JustGiving page so Carers UK can benefit from Gift Aid. If you would like to donate yourself, you can visit the partnership JustGiving page.
