Some of the most recognisable faces from North East business, TV, football and radio have banded together to try and uncover a city’s hidden carers.

To mark National Carers Week, Sunderland Carers Centre rounded up five patrons from business and sport to help it reach out to people who currently care for friends, loved ones, relatives, parents and children.

Former BBC presenter Jeff Brown, radio’s Simon Grundy, Sunderland skipper Luke O’Nien, 1973 cup winning legend Jimmy Montgomery and developer and Spanish City owner Paul Mackings starred in “Do You Care?”, a video which pitches various caring scenarios to people – everyday activities that may seem commonplace or part of the routine to the people doing them, but make a huge difference to those being helped.

Carers Centre Chief Executive, Amanda Brown, said: “There are thousands, possibly tens of thousands of people across Sunderland currently taking time out of their day to help others. This may range from something as simple as taking an aunt or uncle to the supermarket to something as all-consuming as looking after a loved one in the throes of dementia.

“For years, it has been a genuine challenge to reach people caring for others and let them know that they are not alone and help can be just an email or phone call away. The hard part of our job has never been helping carers, it is actually finding those carers to let them know we’re here for them.”

Amanda hopes the video will help do just that...and having some of Wearside’s most recognisable faces will help.

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“Our patrons are absolutely amazing,” she added. “We ask and they respond, and we can’t thank them enough.

“All of them have fulfilled a caring role at some time in their lives and appreciate how important it is to have support available to help, and when we pitched up the idea of a video, they all immediately agreed.”

As well as famous faces, the video features some of the region’s most iconic buildings and locations, including the Stadium of Light, Spanish City, SAFC Training Academy and Sunderland Carers Centre itself.

Former BBC presenter, Jeff Brown, said: “The Carers Centre is an incredible city resource, helping everyone from young children to elderly couples. The impact their services can have on people’s lives cannot be underestimated and I genuinely hope this video helps more people engage with dedicated staff at the Centre.”

Spanish City owner, Paul Mackings said: “We’ve all been carers at some point and never known it. I used to help my grandad when I was a kid – it’s what we naturally do, help others who need it.

“What this video will hopefully do is strike a chord with people who come across it when flicking through social media, and make them realise that they are a carer and that their own lives can be made easier by contacting the Carers Centre.”

Luke O’Nien, who signed up as patron last year, said: “Sunderland is a special city. One that is incredibly caring where people are proud to look after their own and I’m really proud to support this campaign.”