BRADFORD Bulls will raise awareness about unpaid carers at this Sunday's game against Batley Bulldogs at Odsal by hosting a bucket collection and information stand.

Staff and volunteers from charity Carers’ Resource will be on hand to speak to supporters who may be, without payment, providing help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness, addiction or disability.

The Bulls have allowed the charity to raise funds ahead of national Carers Week, which runs from June 10-16, because some of the players and backroom staff are carers.

Ken Jones, the club’s consultant strategy and business consultant, said: “We don’t normally do this kind of thing but this charity really resonated with us as most of us are carers, former carers, know someone who is a carer, or we expect to be carers at some point.

“Personally, I’ve been a carer for my parents and my wife is currently a carer for hers.

"We know many of our fans will be carers too, so we want to them to realise they’re able to get support.”

Carers’ Resource, which also works with carers in Craven and Harrogate, provides one-to-one support, information, and peer-to-peer groups for adult carers, and it also runs youth clubs and activities for young carers.

Sean Lowe, 27, Bulls' ticketing and retail manager, said: “When staff from Carers’ Resource came to see us at the office I recognised the logo on their lanyards straight away.

"I was a carer for my grandma, who had dementia, and had no idea what to do until Carers’ Resource helped me.

“Because of Carers’ Resource, I found out how to get grandma’s house adapted and I was guided through various stages of my caring journey.

"I’m so glad we’re able to tell fans who are carers about Carers’ Resource, and give everyone the opportunity to support such a great charity.”