The Nottingham athlete is supporting the service as part of Share the Care Week (7-14 March), to raise the profile of short breaks and The BIG difference they make to disabled children and young people and their families across the City.

Nottingham City Council's Home from Home service offers short breaks to a range of disabled children and young people aged 0-19 years. Home from Home short break foster carers usually provide overnight stays to a disabled child or young person two or three nights a month, allowing them to have a break from their family home and their family to have a break from caring for them.

Richard said: "I am proud to back this worthwhile campaign. Short break services are a lifeline to many families with disabled children or young people. Not only do they give parents a regular break and time with their other children, disabled children get to spend time away from their family whilst having fun and gaining independence. I hope many more people come forward in Nottingham to take on this rewarding role."

Short breaks are the support service most requested by families of disabled children.

They are regular opportunities for families to have a break from caring while their child enjoys spending time with a short break carer. They provide opportunities for disabled children to make new friends, develop their independence and enjoy new activities. However, research undertaken by Shared Care Network, The Short Breaks Charity, suggests that whilst 10,000 disabled children and families are currently receiving short breaks in the UK another 10,000 could benefit if enough carers could be recruited.

Nottingham City Council Home from Home service has 24 carers offering short breaks to 26 children and young people across Nottingham but they need more. Nottingham City Council Children and Families department currently work with 400 families with disabled children but a recent survey by Aiming High for Nottingham City Council shows this is set to rise to a staggering 700 by as soon as 2011.

The Home from Home team will be available to speak to anyone interested in becoming a carer from 9:00am-5:30pm on Tuesday 9 March at the Nottingham Broadmarsh Centre.

Councillor David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services, said: "There is always a need for more carers to offer children and young people and their families a break. However, we urgently need to double the number of carers by 2011 from 24 to 48 to meet the growing demand predicted. Whether it's one evening a week or a couple of weekends every month, just a few days a month can make a difference to disabled children and their families."

Shared Care Network also want to double the number of disabled children receiving a short break from 10,000 to 20,000 and improve the services disabled children and their families receive by 2012 as part of its BIG Breaks campaign.

Louise and Richard Holland have been short break carers for 13 years. They have two young children aged six and nine and provide short breaks to 10 year old Josh* who has autism for one weekend a month. Louise says "I heard about Home from Home and the positive impact it had on families with disabled children when I was teaching. I often came across families at breaking point and felt I could do something to support them. Since enquiring I've never looked back.

"Josh is an absolute pleasure to look after. He can't speak and communicates through gestures but, like any 10 year old boy, he's very active and lots of fun! We access a local family-based support group for foster carers called the Children and Carers Support Service (CCSS) and often try new activities like drumming. It can sometimes be hard work and challenging but seeing the difference it makes to the child's own family by giving them some time with their other child is extremely rewarding."

Louise added: "Looking after children with disabilities has meant our children have not only tried out new activities but they have grown up being aware of some of the issues surrounding disability and have made some strong friendships. They also love having another child come to stay!"

Short break carers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and the Home from Home Team welcomes enquiries from people regardless of their gender, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation or employment status. Prospective carers don't need to have experience of working with disabled children as ongoing training and support will provide them with the knowledge that they will require All they need is a love of children and a willingness to help a disabled child realise their potential.

For more information about becoming a short break carer with Nottingham City Council please contact the recruitment team on 01522 9151234 or fa.info@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/love