Everards staff give young Barnardo's carers a helping hand

The money was handed over to Leicestershire Cares and will go towards the Barnardo's CareFree project in the county, which offers support services to young carers.

Katharine Lightbown, community development co-ordinator for Leicestershire Cares, said: "This is a great example of several organisations coming together to support a single and extremely worthwhile cause.

"Leicestershire Cares depends on the enthusiasm of local companies such as Everards in order to succeed in helping others. The brewery has been a long standing supporter of our organisation and this latest donation is most gratefully received."

The donation was presented to Leicestershire Cares and Barnardo's by brewery chairman Richard Everard, and managing director Stephen Gould.

Hitesh Ruparelia, community fundraiser with Barnardo's in Leicestershire, said: "The CareFree project provides a wide range of practical and emotional support services to around 200 young carers and their families.

"Providing care for a family member is a massive undertaking for anyone, but for a child the responsibility is greater still and has to be balanced with other activities such as school work.

"We can assist in a variety of ways, but running the scheme successfully costs around £400,000 every year. Half that money has to come from fundraising initiatives, which is why this donation is such a huge help."

Nikki Thompson, children's services manager for Barnardo's, added: "The money will have a significant impact on the type and quality of respite activities we will be able to offer to the young carers.

"Although the children enjoy watching DVD's and doing arts and crafts together when they meet, they also like to try out other activities that they would not ordinarily be able to do, such as going bowling or swimming. This very generous donation enables us to offer them these types of opportunities and we are very indebted to the hard work and dedication of the Leicestershire Cares team."

Leicestershire Cares is a membership organisation of key employers in Leicester and Leicestershire which brings businesses and the community together for mutual benefit.