They joined as Patrons of our 50th Anniversary appeal in 2015 and, to our delight, became our charity Patrons in 2016.
Johnnie and Tiggy never miss an opportunity to raise awareness of our work. For Carers Week 2021, Johnnie and Tiggy filmed a series of videos for social media answering questions about their caring experiences and sharing why Carers Week matters to them. They also took dedications from carers on Johnnie’s BBC Radio Two Sounds of the 70s show in Carers Week 2020, raising the profile of caring with listeners across the UK.
In October 2017 the couple, along with 13 friends headed out to China and trekked over 50 miles over the course of a week, along the Great Wall of China. After months of training, the arrival on the Great Wall was an exciting moment for the Walkers and the rest of the group.
Walking the Wild Wall section of the Great Wall was frequently as testing as going through chemotherapy – and often more frightening.” Tiggy Walker
The Walkers work closely with our Trustees and our Fundraising team, and we consider them truly part of the Carers UK family.
In 2018 our Patrons helped us to assemble a stellar line-up of readers at our first ever Poem-a-Thon during Carers Week. Thanks to their efforts, we had contributions from a range of well-known actors, writers and broadcasters, and managed to read poems non-stop for 6.5 hours to signify the 6.5 million carers across the UK.
Johnnie and Tiggy share 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.
When caring affected their lives, it was not in their plan. Our patrons spoke openly in a Telegraph article about each of their caring roles for one another through cancer treatment.
Tiggy also wrote a very honest account of her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Her story is captured in a beautiful photobook, Unplanned Journey, which you can buy on our shop, with proceeds in aid of Carers UK.
