Staff at a Bridport supermarket will be a hit with unpaid young adult carers having launched a ‘record’ breaking year of fundraising.

The team at the Co-operative store on Sea Road North, got all shook up – and all dressed up in rock ‘n’roll gear – to mark the start of their support for their new Charity of the Year, the Carers Trust.

The charity – which formed last year when The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care came together – will benefit from The Co-op’s staff, members and customers raising money to tackle feelings of isolation and provide breaks, information, advice and support for 14-25-year-olds facing the challenges of caring.

To mark the launch, staff are tuning into a “Rock Around the Clock” theme to acknowledge the 24-hour a day nature of the challenges facing an estimated 500,000 young people, across the UK, who care for a family member or friend who are ill, frail, disabled or have mental health or addiction problems.

Rob Garland, manager of the Bridport store, said: “The challenge of unpaid caring is an often hidden issue, even though it can affect most families at some time.

“We’re delighted that Carers Trust is our Charity of the Year and that we have the chance to make a difference to the lives of young people in our communities who undertake practical and emotional caring responsibilities for a family member or friend who cannot cope without their support.”

There are an estimated seven million unpaid carers across the UK, including around 12,000 in West Dorset.

This year, The Co-operative’s 100,000 staff across all its businesses aim to raise £5m to transform the lives of the UK’s unpaid young adult carers.

The Bridport colleagues are planning events including dress-down days and hamper raffles to boost the funds.

For more information visit co-operative.coop/charityoftheyear