Carers Week
Carers Week is an annual campaign in June to raise awareness of caring. Smile For ME have joined in with this event since 2018 as we want to highlight carers of ME sufferers. ME doesn’t just affect those suffering, it affects those around them who have to take on the role of being a carer. We hope that by sending a special Smile to carers of ME sufferers during Carers Week we can remind them how much they are appreciated. 
Carers Week Smiles
341 Bear Hugs Smiles have been sent to carers of ME sufferers over the years.
Bear Hugs
With our Carers Week Smiles we partner with BearHugs and they send their hugs to Smile nominees.
BearHugs is a brilliant company which sells personalised postal gift hampers in a signature box which opens to reveal two outstretched paws and a ‘Consider this a BearHug’ message. Founded by Faye, a chronic illness sufferer, they spread kindness through a thoughtful hug. For every 50 Bear Hugs boxes sold, they send a special personalised gift box to someone affected by chronic illness or disability through their Hug Nominations. We love working with them and being able to support the wonderful work they do whilst they help us to acknowledge and thank carers of ME sufferers.
Thank you to Faye, Jared and the whole BearHugs team for your help in creating smiles.
Carer Appreciation
Share a story
Mia
smileforme.org.uk/shareastorymia (Shared June 2024)
Mia shares her experience of being a young carer with a piece titled ‘My brother and me’
Sharon
smileforme.org.uk/shareastorysharon (Shared June 2022)
Sharon shares her experience of caring for her daughter through their ME journey. 
Alice
www.smileforme.org.uk/shareastoryalice (Shared June 2021)
Alice writes about her experience of being a young carer for her Mum who has ME. 
Richard
www.smileforme.org.uk/shareastoryrichard (Shared June 2021)
Richard shares his experience of ME and how it affects his family as he cares for his wife who sufferers from ME.
Holly
www.smileforme.org.uk/shareastoryholly (Shared June 2021)
Holly shares her experience of being a young carer for her Mummy who sufferers from ME.
Sue Forrest
www.smileforme.org.uk/shareastorysueforrest (Shared June 2020)
Sue writes about her experience of being a carer to her daughter Lucie. Sharing the reality of life with a child with M.E how you have to fight, be strong, never take no for an answer and even on those days when you think the fight has left you, you have to dig deeper than ever before and fight some more.
Claire Tripp
www.smileforme.org.uk/shareastoryclairetripp (Shared June 2019)
Claire Tripp shares her personal experience of being a carer to her teenage daughter who sufferers from ME to raise awareness of ME carers during National Carers Week.