Young Carer Wins Award
When most 12-year-olds are out with their friends, Ilyan Benamor spends time cooking, cleaning and doing the shopping.
And now the Forest Gate youngster has been recognised for his role as a young carer, receiving a certificate at the borough-wide youth awards.
Ilyan’s mum Laila Chikhaoui suffers from neurological disorder dystonia, which means she struggles with her mobility and has been confined to a wheelchair. She also has difficulty with speech.
Laila was in tears as Ilyan was presented with the young carer’s prize at the Newham Youth Achievement Award ceremony at the town hall in November.
He said: “I was very proud of myself when I won this award. My mum was with me and she had tears in her eyes.”
Forest Gate Community School, which also nominated him for Jack Petchey Achievement Award, bought Ilyan a printer so he can print his homework so he can go straight home after school to look after Laila.
Read the full story in the Newham Recorder: