Oliver Valves, the Knutsford-based manufacturer, has donated almost £20,000 to allow 85 carers across Cheshire to enjoy relief from their round-the-clock unpaid roles caring for family members or friends.

The company has made the pledge as part of a commitment to the Cheshire Community Foundation, which helps people and businesses support local charities. Oliver Valves, through its Oliver Foundation, has donated £60,000 over three years, of which £19,585 will go towards Crossroads Care Cheshire East.

Crossroads Care provides specialist cover for carers so they can enjoy some time to themselves at set times during the year. Oliver Valves founder and chairman Michael Oliver chose the charity after seeing a film about a young carer who balances school and studying with providing full-time support to his disabled mum.

The Oliver Foundation’s donation to Crossroads Care will allow carers from 85 local families to enjoy some relief from their responsibilities six times during the year.

Sharon Inch, HR manager at Oliver Valves and trustee of the Oliver Foundation, said: “Carers are unsung heroes of our society, providing a vital service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with rarely any time to themselves. Crossroads Care offers them some precious hours to enjoy as they like with the peace of mind that their loved one is being well cared for.

“As a company with members of staff who act as carers for family members, we know the crucial role they play and so we are really happy to be supporting such a great cause.”

Kate Wilkinson, of Crossroads Care, said: “Staff at Oliver Valves understand how important carers are to the lives of those they support and they were really keen to support us in offering them some well-earned time off. With the donation we’ll be able to provide cover for 85 families in Cheshire, so we really appreciate their backing.”

Oliver Valves, established in Knutsford in 1979, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of subsea valves for the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, exporting to 80 countries and employing 360 people.