David Ruffley MP has teamed up with TV presenter and former carer Fiona Phillips to support this year's Carers Week (18-24 June) and recognise the contribution made by those people in Bury St Edmunds and throughout the UK who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled. The work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

David Ruffley MP said

'Carers are dear to my heart. My mother was a full time carer for my blind and partially deaf fraid grandfather when I was a child.

The theme for Carers Week 2012 is 'In sickness and in health'recognising the strain families are under. It calls for better support for those who have caring responsibilities.

Research carried out in 2012 found that carers are at breaking point

• 47 per cent of unpaid carers said they were made ill by money worries
• 45 per cent of unpaid carers said that caring had pushed them into debt

Thousands of people in Suffolk sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. Together they save this country an incredible £119 billion every year. It's vital that carers are offered regular breaks from caring - and health checks so that they can be supported.

I am taking part in Carers Week to show my respect for and appreciation of carers. I want them to know that there are services out there to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding. It's important that carers know that they don't have to struggle on alone.

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 8 national charities: Age UK, Carers Trust, Carers UK, Independent Age, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, MS Society, and Parkinson's UK. For more information about local events and activities visit www.carersweek.org.'