Dorset charity MYTIME Young Carers is spotlighting National Young Carers Action Day on March 16.

It hopes the event will recognised the thousands of young carers living in the UK and also raise funds and awareness for their cause.

They state: "A young carer is a child, just like any other. The only difference is that young carers are responsible for the care of at least one member of their family, though they may be as young as 5 years old themselves. These inspiring young people may provide physical, emotional, personal or practical care to relatives living with mental health conditions, disabilities, illnesses or substance use disorders."

Krista Sharp, CEO of MYTIME Young Carers, added, “There are an estimated 700,000 young carers living here in the UK. These remarkable young people work hard to take care of their families, day in and day out, sometimes at great personal cost, but young carers are not often recognised for the contribution they make to our community. National Young Carers Action Day represents the perfect opportunity for us all to stop and reflect on the role that young carers play within our society, and to show our appreciation for everything they do.”

Throughout the month of March, MYTIME are inviting individuals and business alike to take part in their MYTIME2CARE campaign. Participants will receive a calendar of good deeds and are challenged to carry these out within their own communities. Penelope Day, Fundraising Director at MYTIME Young Carers, said, “When care, kindness and looking after our mental health have become so important, we could not think of a better way to take action.”

Young Carers Action Day itself will be marked out by MYTIME’s HAIR2CARE campaign. On March 16, MYTIME’s supporters are encouraged to do something weird and wonderful with their hair, to post a photo on social media using the hashtag #HAIR2CARE, and to text HAIR2CARE to 70460 to donate £5. Penelope Day urges the local community to, “Be brave. Be bold. Be ridiculous. It’s just about showing support and thanks to young carers in a way that’s really visible. All that matters is that you care, and you show it.”