To help lift the spirits of local carers, Teddington-based charity Crossroads Care Richmond and Kingston upon Thames is running its Show an Act of Kindness this Christmas Appeal for a third year.

Thanks to your kindness and generosity last year, Crossroads Care, which provides respite care and support to local unpaid carers, delivered more than 50 Christmas hampers to often vulnerable and socially isolated older carers over the festive period — which can be one of the loneliest times of the year for carers.

The reality for many older carers at Christmas, who are looking after loved-ones with debilitating conditions such as dementia, is that they will have no time to prepare a special meal and no one to exchange a gift with.

Crossroads service user widower Craig, 74, whose wife died shortly after their 46-year-old son suffered a catastrophic cardiac arrest which led to brain injury and cognitive and mobility problems, knows all too well how lonely Christmas can be for many unpaid older carers.

'Caring is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that doesn't stop at Christmas,' he says.

'Often people don't understand what you're going through, so being out and about can leave you feeling low and even lonelier. The hamper, which Crossroads Care staff hand-delivered to us last year really lifted the spirits of my son and I and made Christmas Day special.'

Hardworking older carers like Craig should not have to suffer loneliness, especially during the festive season. 

For just £25, Crossroads Care will deliver a Christmas hamper filled with delicious food staples to the borough's most isolated and vulnerable unpaid older carers.

Julie Da Costa, Crossroad Care CEO, says: 'The gorgeous and personalised hampers, that thanks to the generosity of the public, we've been able to deliver to carers at Christmas, never fail to bring them some joy.

 'And it's a complete delight for our amazing staff team to be able to hand-deliver these hampers.

'Our huge appreciation to everyone who has donated to our Hamper Appeal before and we would so appreciate your help once again this year!' 

To donate to the Crossroads Care Hamper Appeal, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/crossroadsxmashamperappeal