FRIENDS of a young carers charity gathered to celebrate its work and make an appeal for support on Friday.

Andover Young Carers welcomed guests, including the vice lord-lieutenant of Hampshire, Rear Admiral Iain Henderson, to an evening at its headquarters in Admirals Way.

The organisation is welcoming back nearly 100 children to its after-school clubs this week, as it also aims to engage with all schools in the area and expand transition work with the 16-year-old plus age group to reach their potential.

Young carers are children under 18 who give ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances, according to the group.

Chief executive Jill Baines said: “We have amazing staff, volunteers and supporters I can honestly say. They work so passionately with young people it’s one of the reasons we are so successful.

“One thing we need and it does get tedious at times, we do need money.

“Put the word out, tell everybody we are looking for support, we don’t take money and run we do build relationships with people that fund us.”

The carers charity also took the chance to showcase their brand new artwork on the living room wall, created by their own activities worker Mary Mitchell.

It shows the journey of a young carer from when they are first signposted for help, to becoming an adult. Many of the thoughts and feelings displayed on the wall were written by young carers working with Mary on the project.

Mary said: “It is like a journey of life but it is a different type of journey as for young carers there’s more hills to climb.”