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© ALS Independence 2003-11
Thursday 2 February 2012
TWO schoolboys from Northampton were among the winners of NHS awards for caring
for their father, who has motor neurone disease.
Lewis and Lloyd Holton live with their dad, Peter, in Whiteland Road, Abington
following their parents’ divorce.
Because of Mr Holton’s degenerative muscle-wasting disease, they are registered
as his carers, helping him to live his day-to-day life.
However the pair, aged 14 and 13, who go to Northampton School for Boys,
continue to do well in school and remain upbeat, leading to the Young Carers
support group to nominate them for an accolade in the Jane Roebuck Carers
Awards, which were held at Rushton Hall yesterday.
Trevor Frogatt, a Young Carers worker, said: “Both Lewis and Lloyd have had to
witness the rapid deterioration in the health of their father due to motor
neurone disease, alongside the breakdown of their parents’ marriage.
“Throughout this harrowing time, their school attendance and behaviour has been
impeccable.
“They manage to offer bountiful enthusiasm and emotional strength to each other
and Mr Holton, who feels very lucky to have such fantastic sons.”
Statistics in 2010 estimated that 17,500 young people in Northamptonshire, aged
between five and 18, were acting as carers for a family member.
The large number includes anyone in that age group carrying out “caring tasks”
either for a disabled or long-term ill parent or sibling.
Although many perform simple tasks on a daily basis, the official definition of
a young carer is one whose life is constrained by the care they give.
Mr Froggat said: “They are instrumental in enabling their father to remain as
independent at home as possible.”
Apart from the Young Carer of the Year, in 2012 the judging panel also
recognised a Carer of the Year and Northamptonshire GPs who have been
particularly supportive of carers.
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© ALS Independence 2003-11