Sir.–Christmas Day is traditionally a time for celebrating, resting and enjoying family time at home. But for many of the hundreds of thousands of children in England responsible for caring for their loved ones, their duties do not stop on this special day.

Getting up at 6am, making breakfast for an ill or disabled parent, looking after a poorly younger sibling, cleaning the house or preparing Christmas lunch are just some of the responsibilities young carers will be carrying out.

There are 166,000 young carers in England, but we believe this figure is just the tip of the iceberg – many more children remain hidden from view and are slipping through the net, undetected by support services.

Shockingly, for young carers some of who are as young as five, this has increased by 80 per cent over the last decade alone.

It is vital these children get the support they desperately need.

This Christmas, your readers can help to support them by holding a carol singing service.

This can be in a local church, at work or at home with friends and family.

We have a range of free materials, available to download, that can help you to organise your carol singing event. Simply visit childrenssociety.org.uk/ carols to get involved.

Funds are vital for us to continue our work providing support to many, often vulnerable children, such as young carers. Our research shows that caring can cost children dearly. All children should have the right to thrive and enjoy their childhoods.

We hope your readers can get involved and make a real difference to thousands of children’s lives.

–Matthew Reed, Chief Executive, The Children’s Society.