Cassandra Heffernan of Family Carers Ireland, Westmeath/Longford/Meath branch is seeking nominations for 2020 Netwatch ‘Carer of the Year’ awards, which recognise, celebrate and shine a light on the remarkable contribution of Ireland’s 355,000 family carers.
There are 6,900 Family Carers in Westmeath, one of whom will be named Westmeath Carer of the Year for 2020 at the awards’ ceremony on November 6.
Family carers across Ireland make extraordinary sacrifices and work extremely hard, sometimes 24 hours a day, to provide care for family members and friends in their own homes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of their role in society as they prop up our healthcare system by keeping their loved ones at home and out of hospital. With limited access to essential services and particularly respite, family carers are overstretched and receive little acknowledgement for their unpaid work which saves the State €10bn each year.
Nomination forms are now available online at www.familycarers.ie or via the National Freephone Careline 1800 24 07 24. People from Westmeath are encouraged to nominate a family carer that they know who deserves this recognition.
Nomination forms are now available online at www.familycarers.ie, through Family Carers Ireland’s 21 resource centres nationwide or via the National Freephone Careline 1800 24 07 24.
The 2020 Netwatch Carer of the Year Awards will be presented by Family Carers Ireland patrons Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan at a scaled-back event at The Westin Hotel, Dublin on November 6.
