Over 510,000 carers in Yorkshire and Humberside have been boosted by the announcement that the Co-operative has named the Carers Trust as its charity of the year 2013.

The charity, which aims to improve support, services and recognition for carers across the UK, will now have 100,000 Co-op staff members on board to help raise money.

Funds are used provide breaks, information, advice and support for young adults who provide care, and reduce the feelings of isolation carers can feel.

The UK has an estimated six million carers - of which almost 500,000 are aged 14 to 25. There are 516,546 carers in Yorkshire and the Humberside area alone.

It is hoped the new partnership will help transform the lives of young adult carers, whom figures show are more than twice as likely not to be in education, employment or training. Many may not have even taken a break of two days or more since they started caring.

In 2011 the Co-operative, which selects a new charity every two years, raised £7.2 million for Mencap and its sister charity ENABLE Scotland.

Copyright Press Association 2012