Those who fight for the rights of the county’s 60,000 carers were yesterday honoured for their hard work.

Four people from across Oxfordshire were named as ‘Carers Champions’ at the Age UK Oxfordshire’s annual general meeting.

Among them were a woman who took in her disabled parents and a couple looking after their 48-year-old autistic son.

The ceremony was staged by Age UK and Oxfordshire Carers Forum to raise the profile of carers across the county.

Mum-of-three Gail Hanrahan from Chalgrove has spent years campaigning for the rights of parent carers.

Her son Guy, 21, was born with profound learning disabilities and she and husband Bob spent much of his early life caring for him.

She spoke in Parliament and now works for the Oxfordshire Family Support Network.

She said: “I was so chuffed to win this award, I was quite moved.

“With a child with severe learning disabilities it is literally looking after them cradle to grave. By the time my son was 20, I had been a carer for 20 years. And I know people who have been looking after their child for 40 or 50 years now. There’s no retirement at the end.

“And as they get older, all they can do is worry about who will look after the child when they’re gone.”

Her son Guy now lives independently in his own home and Mrs Hanrahan manages his budget.

She said: “Over the years I have learned that knowledge is power and you need to find out what’s out there to offer support.”

The awards were presented by Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood at the Oxford Centre in Banbury Road.

Although there are an estimated 60,000 carers across Oxfordshire, only 10,000 are registered.

Also recognised were Marcia Davis, a former Oxfordshire County Council employee and long-term champion of carers, and Marianne Talbot, the author of Keeping Mum, a book about her experiences of looking after her mother, who had dementia.

Pat and Tony Purkis, former chairmen of Oxfordshire Carers Forum, received a joint award.

Ms Blackwood said: “The work done by these people has made a huge impact. It is important we acknowledge the role of carers and ensure that the huge contributions they make are not overlooked.”