A MOTHER whose son goes above and beyond to help care for his younger siblings has praised his loving nature.

Thomas Baugh, 15, has autism but despite this, helps his mum Joanne take care of his brothers.

Joanne, 36, of St John’s Road, Cudworth, is exceptionally proud of her son and nominated him for a Young Champions award under the Young Carer category.

She said: “My eldest son Bradley was born with half his heart missing and underwent a double heart bypass in 2008. Jake, who is ten and Ben who is nine both have autism.

“Thomas, despite having autism himself, is a godsend. He helps me push Bradley around in a wheelchair because he is so big now it’s difficult for me to manage. He also helps to calm his younger brothers down if they are having a meltdown and helps me to understand their sensory needs.”

Joanne, who brings up the boys alone, was a finalist in the 2016 Proud of Barnsley awards - the annual awards programme which inspired the launch of Young Champions - after she was nominated by her mum Anne Moore.

In addition to raising the boys, she still finds the time to help others by helping to run Bright Sparks, an informal support group for children with additional needs and their families. Joanne also helped with the clean up and planting of flowers in Cudworth Park.

Joanne said: “I’m not doing what any other mother wouldn’t do, I do what I do because I love my kids.

“Sometimes it’s hard, especially because all four of my children have some sort of additional need, you do sit there and think ‘have I done this?’ It is difficult to deal with. But on the other side you just have to get on with it because if I crumble, then everything will go to pot. You just have to keep going.

“We have recently received the news that Bradley’s heart is now failing so I have to take him to appointments in Leeds. Thomas always helps around the house and helps his grandma care for his brothers.

“He now attends a specialist school in Rotherham after he was bullied at his mainstream school and it has helped him so much. He never complains and quite frankly I couldn’t manage without him.

“I put him forward for a nomination because I want him to understand and realise just how wonderful he is and see just how much his care helps me. He has such a big heart and it will be wonderful for him to be recognised for this.”

Do you know a young person who goes above and beyond? Nominate them for a Young Champions Award today. Search Barnsley Chronicle Young Champions online and fill in the form.