Carers Trust pays tribute to Trevor Hemmings – a champion supporter of unpaid carers

Carers Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the death yesterday of Trevor Hemmings, aged 86.

As well as his immense contributions to both National Hunt racing and Preston North End Football Club, Trevor Hemmings was a great supporter of unpaid carers.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Princess Royal Trust For Carers in 1991, the charity that merged with Crossroads Care in 2012 to form Carers Trust. It was his great ambition to establish support centres for unpaid carers across North West England. And with his constant support, the Princess Royal Trust For Carers was able to significantly increase its support for unpaid carers in the region, expanding the number of support centres for unpaid carers from five to 25.

When the Princess Royal Trust For Carers found itself experiencing financial difficulties, it was Trevor Hemmings who decisively turned things round with a donation of £1 million, as well as additional support.

Over the years he raised £8 million for unpaid carers, holding dinners, gala balls and nights at the races. He was also instrumental in arranging respite breaks for thousands of carers who enjoyed trips to Pontins in Harrogate and on the Isle of Man.

He was made Vice President of the Princess Royal Trust For Carers in 2001. And to mark his immense contribution to the charity, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal presented him with a Gold Badge of Recognition in 2007.

Further recognition followed for his contributions to charity, which included work for the British Red Cross. In 2008 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Variety Club of Great Britain.  And in 2011 he was overjoyed to be made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his work as Vice President of the Princess Royal Trust For Carers.

On hearing the news of Trevor Hemmings’ death, Carers Trust Chairman, John McLean OBE, said:

“Trevor Hemmings was a great champion of unpaid carers. Without his deep commitment and generosity, there would not be the level of support there is today for unpaid carers across the UK. Better than most, he understood just how important it is for unpaid carers to be given funded breaks, contributing to The Princess Royal’s Respite Fund For Carers just a few months ago.

“On behalf of the staff and trustees at Carers Trust, as well as unpaid carers everywhere, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for everything he achieved for carers, and our deepest sympathy to his family.”