Swindon residents are being urged to put their best foot forward this weekend to support a charity that helps unpaid carers.
Swindon Carers Centre supports around 3,000 unpaid carers in Swindon by offering them a break from looking after sick, elderly or disabled relatives.
The Walk A Mile In My Shoes sponsored walk on Saturday (June 10) will see dozens of carers, along with staff from Swindon Carers Centre and a fair few dogs including charity mascot Mutley, walk a mile around the town centre, starting and finishing at Artsite in Theatre Square.
Along the way members of the Carers Choir, a musical group made up of a dozen carers, will be performing impromptu pop songs as a flash mob to entertain shoppers and raise a little extra for the charity.
Ann Giles, of Swindon Carers Centre, said: “Our walk kick starts Carers Week 2017, and we’re hoping to raise more awareness about Swindon Carers Centre and the work that Swindon’s 21,000 unpaid carers do.
“The youngest of our 3,000 registered carers is aged five, and the oldest is 97. All carers do an amazing job, and our aim is to raise at least £1,000 to support our work in giving them a break from their caring duties.”
One local business, Suzuki and Hyundai car dealership Pebley Beach, has pledged to match fund every penny raised up to £1,000.
Managing director Dominic Threlfall said: “Swindon’s unpaid carers, young and old, do a fantastic job in supporting relatives who could not cope without them. We’re proud to be supporting Swindon Carers Centre and wish the walkers the best of luck – and weather – on Saturday.”
Walkers will meet at 10.30am for an 11am start and there will be refreshments, a raffle and an exhibition of carers art on the day.
For more information about the work of Swindon Carers Centre visit www.swindoncarers.org
