A FORMER electrician from Pembroke has been chosen as one of five winners of the inaugural National Carers Awards launched by pharmacy chain LloydsPharmacy and Carers UK. Following a nomination from a close friend his moving story was picked from among hundreds of entries. 

Bill Smith, aged 55, has devoted his life to caring for his two adult children, a son who has cerebral palsy and spina bifida, and a daughter with complex behavioural problems and learning difficulties. Bill gave up his full time job as an electrician to provide the 24 hour care they need, and nine years ago Bill’s wife was also diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, Pick’s disease, that has led to her needing the same level of care. Although Bill receives help from paid carers during the day, he cares for his family alone at night, despite having health problems himself. Bill has kidney disease, eye thyroid disease and several other health problems. Last October he was diagnosed with lymphoma but managed to beat the cancer and was given the all clear in March. Despite all of these challenges, Bill continues to provide compassionate and loving care in order keep his family under one roof. Bill is being recognised for a lifetime of unpaid work caring for loved ones and represents one of more than 15,000 people in the Pembrokeshire area who provide unpaid care on a daily basis. It is also estimated that those caring for loved ones who are older, seriously ill or disabled save the UK economy £119billion a year. The awards, launched by pharmacy chain Lloyds Pharmacy in partnership with Carers UK, are designed to recognise the hugely important role that thousands of unpaid carers play in society. In April people around the country were asked to nominate someone who they felt should win a National Carers Award. A panel of judges then chose five winners, one of whom is Bill Smith. On the 10th June he was awarded an all expenses paid break in London, staying at a five star hotel and attending a gala dinner where he was presented with a trophy. He also received £1,000 worth of high street vouchers. Speaking about his nomination, Bill said: “I feel deeply honoured to have been nominated for this award and I feel happy that through this initiative carers like me all around the country may get a little more help and understanding.” Cormac Tobin, managing director of Lloyds Pharmacy said: “Many of our customers around the country are carers. Managing the medication of a loved one is a huge responsibility and is just one of the challenges carers face on a daily basis. I am so pleased that Bill has been recognised for all his hard work and that we are able to celebrate him as well as raise awareness of the tireless work that people like Bill undertake every day, all around the country .” Heléna Herklots Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Looking after an older or disabled loved one is part and parcel of life, but these carers show just how hard caring can be. Their stories echo the experiences of so many other carers across the UK and set down a challenge for all our society – to recognise carers’ contributions and ensure they get the support they need so they aren’t pushed into isolation or crisis as they care for their loved ones.” Earlier this year Lloyds Pharmacy became one of the first UK businesses to sign up to the ‘Dementia Friends’ initiative, encouraging its staff to learn how to support customers who have dementia in the best possible way.