The Carers Association

The plight of Ireland's child carers is being highlighted by a young Sligo man inspired by the dedication of his own sister who became their mother's main carer at the age of 10.

Brendan Tonry, an Army private from Drumfin, Co Sligo believed there are thousands of children around the country who are part of what The Carers Association describe as "an invisible Army" who quietly care for seriously ill parents, siblings, or grandparents with little or no outside help.

"My own sister, Denise, was just 10 when our father Patrick died in 2001", explained Brendan. ""My mother was heartbroken when he died and could not cope. She became very depressed and the situation was compounded by epilepsy and serious physical health issues."

After seeing the documentary "Children in Charge" on RTE television in November 2010, Brendan realised his sister's experience was not unique and he decided to do something to help other children in the same situation. It has inspired him and his team to undertake the Dare 2 Care challenge from April 1st: a grueling, 10-day test of endurance, fitness, and stamina to raise awareness and funds to help Young Carers in the West of Ireland.

The Dare 2 Care team: Brendan Tonry, Jarlath Monaghan, Denis Flynn, Ross Barrett, and James Neary will set out on a 550 kilometer cycle through the six counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway, and Mayo, climbing the highest peak in each county on the way. The group will camp out each night before cycling onto the next peak-certainly an extreme challenge! The team hopes to raise €10,000 for their efforts.

The Carers Association in Mayo invites groups or individuals wishing to do their part to raise awareness of issues affecting young carers to create and undertake their own particular challenge for sponsorship between now and 3rd May.

Examples of challenges could include any of the following:

• 5k/10k/dualthon challenge
• Climb a local peak of your choice
• Walk/run/cycle all or part of the Greenway
• Swim lengths of a pool
• Complete timed sessions of skipping rope/sit-ups/pushups

OR

• Simply collect sponsorship for the Dare2Care team

Young carers are identified as anyone under the age of 18 years who provides daily care assistance in the home for family members. Young carers work often goes un-recognized. Their care work can often affect their own social, health and/or educational needs.

"Census 2010 was the first census which contained a question regarding young carers. When the statistics emerge later this year, we can start to get a handle of the numbers making up this "invisible Army", states Eileen McNamara, Outreach Training & Development Officer for The Carers Association in Co Mayo. "We welcome the opportunity the Dare2Care Challenge has provided to highlight this issue. By raising awareness, we can start to put supports in place for those involved."

The money raised through the Dare 2 Care challenge will go towards providing supports for young carers such as "take-a-break days", training programmes, and the setting up of social networking outlets to allow access to others in similar situations.

Brendan Tonry stressed that parents, like his mother Mary who passed away in 2006, would never want to put the burden of caring on their children. "My mother was a lovely woman who wanted the best for all of us but unfortunately through circumstances she could not control, Denise ended up in that situation" he said.

Anyone wishing to become involved by taking on their own Dare 2 Care Challenge can contact 086 3775702 for sponsorship cards.

Would you please display the poster attached below in your workplace/centre/school to help us promote the challenge?