Whilst we knew how serious his illness was we are still devastated to hear the news that Carers UK co-patron Johnnie Walker MBE has passed away today, on New Years Eve. Johnnie and his wife Tiggy have been co-patrons of Carers UK since our 50th anniversary year in 2015. Johnnie and Tiggy have generously shared their experiences of caring for each other to help us shape a world where carers are recognised, valued and supported for the huge contribution they make to families and communities. It was in Carers Week 2024 when the couple shared their final caring journey together on BBC Radio 2, that Johnnie had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. It was such an incredible, and typically selfless, act on their behalf to talk publicly about Johnnie’s illness at such a deeply private and challenging time for them and indicative of their commitment to Carers UK as our dedicated joint Patrons. In doing so they raised awareness of the lives and experiences of millions of unpaid carers to help them be seen, heard and valued. And we will be forever grateful to them.
Before this, in October 2017 the couple, along with 13 friends, headed out to China and trekked over 50 miles across the course of a week, along the Great Wall of China raising thousands of pounds for Carers UK. They have constantly looked for opportunities to support us from poem-a-thons, to events at the House of Lords with our founding members, to regular shout out’s on Johnnie’s BBC Radio 2 show, Sounds of the 70s, especially during every Carers Week and Carers Rights Day. They have joined us virtually at our annual staff away day to remind us of how important our work is and constantly flown the Carers UK flag at every opportunity and had already started planning what they would do for our 60th anniversary in 2025. Johnnie’s fan groups also often meet up and raise funds for Carers UK as we were always his nominated charity.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:
“This is absolutely devastating news for all of us at Carers UK – Johnnie and Tiggy are part of the Carers UK family, they have always been more than just co-patrons to us and have consistently been there to help us whatever the notice or ask.
“From a personal perspective it was always such a joy to meet up with Johnnie and Tiggy and bounce ideas around about what they might do for us next – it never seemed like work because together they were simply such great company and a lot of fun. I can’t imagine the loss that Tiggy is feeling and our hearts go out to her at this terrible time.”