An inflatable piggy bank will be coming to Sutton in a bid to raise awareness about the “urgent” need for more social care funding.

‘Penny’ will be in both Carshalton and Sutton high streets this month as part of a bid to draw more attention to Age UK's nationwide campaign.

People in the borough are invited to visit the inflatable piggy bank and write to their MPs, “telling them why they should care about social care”.

Nicola Upton, Age UK Sutton chief executive, said: “In our borough, more than 4,000 people aged 65-plus provide unpaid care.

“We are committed to helping older people, their careers and families to manage the often significant emotional, physical and financial toll of providing social care in the current system.

“With the Green Paper on social care expected in the autumn, we want to ensure that the voices of local older people and their carers are heard in letting the Government know that now is the time to grasp the nettle and finally fix the care crisis in our country.

“Our local council and NHS are doing the best they can with pinched resources and funding, and we are proud to work in partnership with them to provide support in the community.”

Meanwhile, 1.4 million older people across the UK “don't get the care and support they need”, according to analysis conducted by Age UK published in July.

It's suggested this has risen up nearly 20 percent in two years while delayed discharges due to “lack of social care” costs the NHS more than £500 each minute.

People in Sutton are being invited to join Age UK Sutton on August 29.

‘Penny’ will be in Sutton High Street from 10am to 12 noon, and in Carshalton High Street between 2pm and 4pm.

To see the Age UK analysis, click here.

For more information, click here.