I WAS delighted to see the tribute to Martin Barrass given by colleagues and the Evening Press (May 7).

For a number of years now, Martin has worked with young carers in the area offering drama workshops and activities. Young carers are children who are caring for someone, normally a relative, who has a disability, chronic illness, or who need extra support for other reasons.

A few years ago we at The Carers Centre were trying to obtain funding in order to provide a more dedicated service for these young people. Martin worked with young people from the group to encourage them to have the confidence to make a presentation to potential funders and service planners.

You cannot imagine how delighted and proud these young people felt to have a local celebrity offering them support and encouragement.

We did obtain our funding. Thanks to local champions such as Martin, City of York Councillor Shan Braund and North Yorkshire Councillor Shelagh Marshall, the profile of young carers has been raised and their needs acknowledged and I for one will always be grateful.

Dawn O'Rooke,

Carers Centre Manager,

Clementhorpe Health Centre,

Cherry Street, York.

Updated: 10:30 Saturday, June 02, 2001