A ROYAL visit will honour the efforts of those who give young carers a hand.

The Princess Royal will meet St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers and present it with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall tomorrow (Wednesday). 

The charity will receive the honour  in recognition of the outstanding service it delivers to young carers.

Her Royal Highness, who is Commandant in Chief (Youth) for St John Ambulance, will arrive at 2.30pm to meet  carers  supported by the Cheshire Young Carers project.

She will hear about the work the charity does – providing support to young carers, adopting a holistic approach to their health and well-being.

Her Royal Highness will then present the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to Matt Howie, a volunteer with Cheshire Young Carers.

Other guests at the hour-long event will include the lord lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs; the chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Eleanor Johnson; the High Sheriff of Cheshire, John Lea; Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston and mayor of Ellesmere Port, Cllr Angela Claydon.

Lindsay Weaver, programme manager for St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers, said: “The event is a fantastic opportunity for the young carers to receive some recognition for the remarkable difference they make to the lives of those they care for and the community around them.

“They are astonishing individuals who deal with the immense pressures of living with a poorly or disabled parent as well as coping with the complexities of growing up.

“As a service, we aim to support these young people with their education, personal development and dreams for the future, which are often neglected as a result of the assumed role they take on. Without question this is something they do purely out of love for the family member who suffers. These children are beyond inspiring, it is a privilege to work with them.”

Set up in 1997,  Cheshire Young Carers  has grown to support 150 young people and is the only dedicated service for young carers in West Cheshire.