Grandparent of the Year Wanted

 
Nowadays grandparents play an
important role in family life
© pixelio.de

To celebrate the crucial role that modern grandparents now play in family life, Age Concern and Specsavers are launching Grandparent of the Year 2008.

Grandparents are doing 60 per cent of all childcare. And today’s grandmothers spend up to a third of their lives as a grandparent – that’s an average of 30 years.

Families and grandchildren are invited to nominate an extra special grandparent for the competition. Five regional finalists will be plucked from obscurity to attend the all expenses VIP weekend in London alongside the grandchild who nominated them.

If the care that grandparents offer to grandchildren had to be provided by paid childminders it would cost £3.9 billion a year.

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern said: “Modern grandparents are often the oil that greases the wheels of family life. Without them it would be far harder for parents to juggle the work/life balance. Nominating them for Grandparent of the Year is one way that families can offer their thanks and respect to this 13.5 million-strong army of carers.”

Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Grandparent of the Year award. This is such a special campaign as it allows loved ones to recognise the achievements of grandparents and the unique place they have in the family.”

The title winner will receive £3,000 cash to spend as they wish plus £750 in eyecare vouchers and £2,000 in hearing vouchers, courtesy of Specsavers. The closing date for entries is Friday 30 November 2007.

REHACARE.de; Source: Age Concern

- For more information on Age Concern visit: www.ageconcern.org.uk

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