Nominations open across Carlow and Kilkenny for ‘Carer of the year’ awards

NO REPRO FEE 26/5/2016 Launch of Ireland's tenth Carers of the Year Awards. Family Carers Ireland, representing Ireland's 200,000 family carers in Ireland, has launched the 10th annual Carers of the Year Awards 2016 to celebrate the enormous contribution and loving care provided by family carers and young carers (under 18). Pictured at the launch is Family Carers Ireland Head of Communications Catherine Cox, 2nd from left, with former Young Carer of the Year, Sam Norris (18), who helps his single mum of five, Antoinette, care for his sister Demi (19) who has Cohen's Syndrome and brother Adam (10) who is a person with Autism and last year's Carer of the Year, Jennifer Carroll who care full-time for her two children Alex (8) and Ava (3) who were born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition which causes bones to break easily, and Des Coffey who cares for his daughter Danielle (23). The event was hosted by RTE broadcasters and Family Carers Ireland patrons Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan, Family Carers Ireland launched new awards for Young Carers in recognition of their caring roles as latest research finds 11.4 percent of 10,368 children surveyed identified themselves as family carers. For more information and for online nominations please visit www.familycarers.ie. Photo Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland