'At 16, helping out is almost ingrained into me'

Will is a carer for his younger sister Ellie, who has spinal muscular atrophy

A teenager who cares for his disabled younger sister has said it was a "big surprise" to win an award for being an "unsung hero".

William, 16, supports Ellie, 15, who has spinal muscular atrophy, alongside his volunteer work with the Scouts, and other jobs - including being the milkman for his village of Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon.

He was awarded the Unsung Hero prize at the 31st annual Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards on 13 November.

Will said supporting Ellie was "almost ingrained into me" because he had "grown up doing that kind of stuff".

"We're really close, particularly for siblings as well because sometimes siblings are not so close," he said.

"I feel nice helping her and it's just something I do."

Will's support ranges from sitting Ellie up in her chair, helping her to pick things up which she cannot reach, and sometimes helping to feed her.

"I actually end up doing a lot more chores than what other people my age might do, because my parents are busy looking after my sister and doing more personal care," he added.

According to the NHS, spinal muscular atrophy can cause muscle weakness and movement problems, as well as issues with breathing and swallowing.

Ellie said: "He teases me a lot, which is what an older brother does.

"I like that about him because he doesn't only see my disability. He sees me as a person but he also sees me as a sister who is quite easy to tease."

Ellie said she was "really happy" that Will received the award, and that he "really does deserve all this".

Will first heard about the awards ceremony through an email from his head of sixth form during the summer holidays.

"They didn't actually tell me I'd won. They told me they'd shortlisted me," he said.

During the ceremony, Will and his family realised that no other category had nominees announced.

"I thought I was only there as a nominee, but I realised, 'hang on, I've actually won this thing'."

Will's mother, Yvonne, said she was "very proud" on the night.

"When he went up for it I was nearly in tears, I couldn't even take pictures," she added.

"We can't ask for a better son, really."

Will's prize also recognised his work towards his gold Duke of Edinburgh Award

As well as being a young carer, Will volunteers as a young leader with the Scouts, helping to run weekly sessions at his local group and canoeing activities for young people from across North Yorkshire.

"This is something I've done my entire life as well so I really enjoy it and I like teaching other people the skills I've got," he said, adding that it was a "bit of a burden" on his time, but one he did not mind because it was fun.

The award win also recognised his work as a milkman, role as a wheelchair football referee, and musical talents.

He accompanies his school choir on the piano, plays bass in a school band and French horn in the wind orchestra.

Will has also won a number of prizes at the Harrogate Music Festival.

"A lot of my time at school is dedicated to music," Will said.

"Some people say I might live at the music block."

Alongside this, he is wheelchair football coach and milkman in his local village six days a week.

He added: "At the awards, they were reading out the list of things I do and I was like, 'did I really say that many things?'"

Will says he enjoys volunteering as a Scouts young leader, passing on his skills to younger children

After achieving success in his GCSE results last year, Will is now hoping to pursue a career in medicine, inspired by doctors who care for Ellie.

"They take time to explain things to me and ask about me as well, how I'm feeling and how my family's feeling.

"I've been in hospitals a lot and they're almost like another home to me."

Will said life would be "boring" if he did not "get out there and do things and make the most of what is not the best situation".

"I want to get as much out of my life and childhood," he added.

"There's a quote somewhere that I like, that 'we can't change the cards we're dealt, only how we play the hand'."

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