YOUNG carers in Herefordshire will be able to access further support after a charity received a boost of more than £50,000.

Herefordshire Young Carers – a dedicated team within Herefordshire Carers Support which helps children and young people who look after someone in their family who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or has a problem with drugs or alcohol – has been given a grant of £53,692 from the Herefordshire Freemasons.

The cash will be used to provide a support worker who will work with schools, families and young carers themselves.

Susan Brace, young carers community development worker, said: “We’re very grateful to Herefordshire Freemason for their generous grant.

“There are around 360 registered young carers in Herefordshire but the true number is likely to be much higher.

“We want these children to be able to live a full life, like their friends, which means they won’t be missing out on their childhoods or education – getting the help and support they desperately need.”

The grant from Herefordshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation which is funded by Freemasons from across England and Wales.

Rev’d David Bowen, the provincial grand master of Herefordshire Freemasons said: “We are very pleased to be able to help Herefordshire Carers Support. The work they do is hugely important and can make an enormous difference to the lives of these vulnerable children.”