"Unless we urgently rethink how our society supports carers, we will see increasing numbers pushed to breaking point - forced out of work and into poverty, ill-health and isolation," Redmond says.

Crossroads Caring Scotland is a national charity which exists to support carers in Scotland, through the provision of respite care and other forms of practical support.

An independent fostering agency is an organisation which recruits, trains, assesses, registers and supports foster carers.

The partnership between Boots and Macmillan isn't the only way that Boots supports carers.

Carers save the UK economy an estimated £87bn a year, and economic considerations form a key element in government policy to support carers.

Tax cuts worth $1.6 billion over four years were proposed to encourage people to save for first homes, and extra funding of $652 million for child care and $158 million to support carers was promised.

The Government's aim is to support carers in their caring roles and to help them maintain their own health and well-being.

She launched Crossroads (a charity that supports carers) in Porthcawl.

Supporting the family and carers who may not be able to go on giving the very demanding twenty-four hour care needed in the later stages of the illness.

The Australian Government has supported carers since 1983 by providing carer income support and later pensions.