A DAD-OF-THREE has been campaigning for carer's rights after a devastating diagnosis left him as the full-time carer of his childhood sweetheart.

Tony Brierley, from Lowton, was holidaying in Ibiza with his wife Sue in 2015 when she started to feel tired and unwell.

On her return home, Sue began to deteriorate rapidly and despite being fit, healthy, and a frequent 5k runner, she was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), aged 53.

Warrington Guardian: Sue was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis after falling ill on holiday in 2015Sue was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis after falling ill on holiday in 2015 (Image: Tony Brierley)

Usually affecting people in their seventies, IPF is a condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult; with an average life expectancy of three to five years.

As her symptoms worsened, Sue retired as a GP receptionist while Tony transitioned to freelance engineering work until he could access his pension and look after his wife full-time.

Warrington Guardian: Tony has been working to raise awareness of Pulmonary FibrosisTony has been working to raise awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis (Image: Tony Brierley)

Tony, 58, said: "The illness came out of nowhere really. We were enjoying ourselves in Ibiza and then one day, Sue started feeling ill and got worse and worse from there.

"It is an awful illness and Sue needs assistance everyday, but she is a tough girl and she is already two years past the average life expectancy."

Warrington Guardian: Tony spoke about carers on BBC Breakfast from Leigh Market Tony spoke about carers on BBC Breakfast from Leigh Market (Image: Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre)

While Sue has stayed strong, caring for someone with a respiratory condition through a global pandemic became an "absolute battle" to stay positive, Tony said, with the shielding couple unable to see their children and grandchildren for long periods of time.

Navigating through life on a carer's allowance of around £70 a week, Tony's experiences have led him to "refocus his position" where he raises awareness of IPF and fights for the rights of millions of carers like himself.

Warrington Guardian: Tony quizzed Liz Truss on carer's allowance when she came to LeighTony quizzed Liz Truss on carer's allowance when she came to Leigh (Image: GB News)

Over the past few years, the 58-year-old has campaigned with the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis charity, worked alongside Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre, and made a support network for local families who are battling with IPF.

He also appeared on BBC Breakfast advocating for the rights of carers, quizzed Liz Truss when she came to Leigh, and raised the issue with the town's MP, James Grundy.

For his continued charitable efforts, he was recognised with a Carers Champion Award at Wigan Council's Our Town Awards this month.

Warrington Guardian: Tony was recognised with a Carers Champion Award this monthTony was recognised with a Carers Champion Award this month (Image: Wigan Council)

Tony added: "Thankfully, I had a well paid job which has afforded me a decent pension, but we have had to access this far earlier than anticipated and this is pretty much what we are living off because the carer's allowance is so low.

"We make a good job of staying positive but we have to live frugally, and there are millions of carers struggling in similar or much worse conditions than us.

"Collectively, we take such a burden off the NHS but the carer's allowance is still the lowest paid benefit, and something needs to be done about it."

To donate towards Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, you can visit this link.

Warrington Guardian: Tony is continuing to fight for carer's rights and support his wife SueTony is continuing to fight for carer's rights and support his wife Sue (Image: Tony Brierley)