YOUNG carers in the Cotswolds were given a surprise when Dame Janet Trotter, the Lord-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, spoke at their latest fundraising event.

The event, which was held at the Swan Hotel in Bibury, was organised by Cllr Sir Edward Horsfall, who has raised more than £4,000 in the last two years for the Gloucestershire Young Carers.

Sir Edward is getting ready to launch the Friends of Gloucestershire Young Carers, which encourages like-minded members of the community to raise funds for the charity.

He said: “Having met many young carers who benefit from this wonderful charity I decided to become an on-going supporter.

“I hope that, together with colleagues such as Sir Henry Elwes, we can raise the profile of this worthwhile cause even further.”

At what was Sir Edward’s final benefit event, Dame Janet spoke to the young carers at length about what being a Lord Lieutenant involves.

Gloucestershire Young Carers, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, now supports more than 1,000 young carers between the ages of eight and 24.

Visit www.glosyoungcarers.org.uk for more information.