Embargoed until 00.01, 11 June 2014

A FORMER electrician from Pembroke is one of five winners of the inaugural National Carers Award.

Bill Smith, 55, has devoted his life to caring for his two adult children. His son, Mark, has cerebral palsy and spina bifida, and daughter, Karen, has complex behavioural problems and learning difficulties.

Giving up his full-time job as an electrician, Bill provides 24-hour care for them. Nine years ago Bill’s wife was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, Pick’s disease, which 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 including kidney disease and eye thyroid disease.

Last October he was diagnosed with lymphoma but he was given the all-clear in March.

Despite all of these challenges, Bill continues to provide compassionate and loving care to keep his family together under one roof.

Following a nomination from a close friend, his moving story was picked from among hundreds of entries.

As the Western Telegraph went to press yesterday (Tuesday, June 10), Bill was due to go to London for an all-expenses-paid night at a five star hotel. He was to attend a gala dinner to be presented with a trophy and £1,000-worth of high street vouchers.

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.

“It’s nice to be recognised but to me it’s my family and they need looking after – I don’t seek praise for it.”

Bill represents one of more than 15,000 people in Pembrokeshire who provide unpaid care on a daily basis.

The awards were launched by Lloyds Pharmacy and Carers UK to recognise this hugely important role.