Angela Rippon steps into new role as Ambassador for Carers Trust
Carers Trust is delighted to have appointed TV presenter and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Rippon as an Ambassador.
Angela has been a much-loved face and voice in British broadcasting for more than five decades, including hosting breakfast service TV-am, The Antiques Roadshow and Rip-Off Britain. At 78, she has just become the oldest celebrity to ever appear on Strictly after previously hosting its predecessor, Come Dancing, herself in the 1980s.
Angela has also been a huge supporter of national charity Carers Trust for many years. She has spoken movingly about caring for her mother Edna who had vascular dementia, revealing how difficult it was to deal with the guilt of caring for her whilst being unable to help improve her condition. This experience also led her to present a personal BBC documentary in which she investigated the disease.
Her new role sees her join Carers Trust’s roster of Ambassadors which include actor and producer Greg Wise, Professor Saul Becker, the world’s leading researcher into young carers, and and Sally Anstey, Senior Lecturer/Researcher for the School of Healthcare Sciences at Cardiff University. Carers Trust Ambassadors are committed to increasing the awareness of the charity and helping its aim of transforming the lives of unpaid carers.
Angela Rippon said:
“It is such a privilege to become an ambassador for Carers Trust. Through my work with the dementia community, I know what an incredibly vital role all carers perform for their loved ones. But too often that work and loving commitment goes unrecognised and unrewarded. Working alongside the marvellous team at the trust, I hope I can not only further the work of the trust itself, but also champion the thousands of carers who deserve our respect and support.”
Chair of Carers Trust, John McLean OBE, said:
“Over the years, Angela has been an exceptionally committed advocate for Carers Trust. Unpaid carers are facing huge challenges and our research shows those problems are continuing to grow, from the devastating impact caring has on their finances to the toll on their own health and wellbeing. As a passionate carer for her mother, Angela brings great experience and insight of these issues. Everyone at Carers Trust, including our network of local carer organisations which provide advice and support across the UK, is looking forward to working even more closely with her in our aim to secure a better deal for unpaid carers.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Mark Chandler, mchandler@carers.org and 07712 427808
About Carers Trust
Carers Trust is the UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers across the UK. It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness & influence policy. Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard and valued, with access to support, advice and resources to enable them to live fulfilled lives.
To find your nearest local carer organisation for advice and support, visit carers.org