Carer, 16, nominated for role model award

Matt unwittingly became a carer for both of his parents until Mr Church died in August.
He has been nominated for the Causeway Buckinghamshire Young People of the Year award by a friend at Amersham School. Fellow pupil Laura Clawson saw what he had been through. She said: "Matthew was going through quite a lot because he was taking his GCSEs while he was looking after his mum and dad. He would hardly ever go out with his friends as he felt bad. All the while he looked after his mum and helped at home.
"Matthew is a very sweet and devoted person and I think he deserves an award for everything he has been doing."
As a contender for the Causeway Bucks YOPEY, Matt is in with a chance to win the top prize of £1000.
Mrs Church, who also has two older boys, said: "I am better now and can walk, even though I still have trouble doing some things and using my left hand. It has been hard on Matthew, especially as he is the youngest and has always been at home.
"Things were especially difficult for Matthew especially at the end of his father's life when he was at the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted. I couldn't be there when he died, but Matthew was right there by his side from the night before, along with his older brothers Simon and Stephen."
However the teenager does not think he has done anything out of the ordinary. He said: "I just wanted to make things easier for my mum and dad. After my dad died I've realised that you have to look after yourself and try to live life as it comes.
"My dad was having chemotherapy for a couple of months but that didn't help him much. We knew quite earlier on that he was really ill. We had some good times, and I was really happy when we would forget about the illnesses and spend some time together as a family."
Despite the difficult year, Matt started A-Levels in photography, media and ICT in September.
Philip Brown, chief executive of the competition's sponsor Causeway, a Bucks-based software company, said: "I believe that young people like Matthew contribute immensely to our society but this is overshadowed by the adverse press coverage of the minority who sadly commit crimes, rather than taking an active and positive role in society."
Do you know a young person who goes that extra mile to help others and deserves recognition and the chance to win a cash prize? To nominate go to www.yopey.org or write to Young People of the Year, PO Box 103, Hare Street, Ware, SG9 OXD, enclosing an SAE, for an entry form. Nominees must be aged between 10-25, and live, study, or work in Bucks. The competition closes on Sunday (8/11).