Bernard's appeal

“When I can no longer cope, my concern is that my wife and I will be parted after being together since 1952”

Bernard sees himself as one of the lucky ones. As a child, he was the only one of his three siblings to survive a typhoid and diphtheria epidemic.

During the war, his parents’ house was one of the few to remain standing in their road after aggressive air raids in 1940.

Bernard comes from a generation of people that took their duties seriously and never complained.

Today, Bernard needs your help, but he will never be the one to ask.

Bernard has been caring for his wife, Jean, since 2000 when she had a serious stroke which left her partially paralysed and in need of a wheelchair. Now, at the age of 79, she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Bernard has been by her side, supporting since the beginning, but at times it has been very hard.

Bernard is one of 1.5 million people in the UK over the age of 60 who have caring responsibilities.

Many carers, like Bernard, are isolated, vulnerable and in desperate need of support.

Some do not feel that they should ask for help. Many are simply too exhausted to even think about it.

For now, Bernard is “bearing up”, but admits he’s become increasingly worried about what the future will hold.

Many older carers like Bernard have serious and long term health conditions themselves. Often, these carers are vulnerable and, without the right support, their caring responsibilities can shorten their own life expectancy.

Your gift today means we can reach older carers like Bernard – before it is too late

At The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, we work relentlessly to help carers who are always putting others first. We are reliant on the generosity of the public to continue our important work. We want to be there for more carers like Bernard and we can with your help.

Your gift will help us continue to provide a vital lifeline to isolated, exhausted carers

With warmest wishes,

Liz Fenton
Chief Executive