Young carer honoured with award

Anthony Walker says his son Leon has 'a heart of gold'

A 12-year-old boy who cares for his disabled father has been named as the winner of the UK's new Young Champions award.

Leon Walker, of Hengoed in Caerphilly county, was chosen as the winning young champion from thousands of entrants.

The youngster helps look after his father Anthony who lost both legs after contracting a condition that attacks the nervous system.

Leon was chosen as the overall winner on Saturday.

He was chosen by a panel led by paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.

As well as receiving a trophy for himself, Leon's win means 50 pupils from his school will have a free visit to an educational activity centre.

His father said he was "over the moon."

"I think he deserves to win because he's a champion to me whatever happens," Mr Walker said.

"He deserves everything he gets - he's got a heart of gold to be honest."

Leon, who was nominated by one of his teachers, attends Lewis School Pengam near Bargoed but it does not stop him from caring for his father.

"I get his clothes out, get his medication ready, get his breakfast ready, I help him with the shopping," said Leon, who has two younger brothers.

"Sometimes I make him a cup of tea or help him get up off the settee to the wheelchair."

Leon said he was "really, really, really happy" to have been chosen as one of 11 young champions.

His father was full of praise for his son's hard work.

I am in awe that someone so young, with such responsibility, can be such a happy, keen and genuinely lovely boy Darren Berry, teacher

"He's brilliant, I've got to be honest," said Mr Walker, who is separated from Leon's mother.

"I know a lot of parents say that but I think I'm lucky.

Leon is now taking part in a two-day activity break at the Colomendy adventure centre near Mold, Flintshire, as a prize for being a finalist.

Leon, who is also excelling in the classroom, is keen to continue helping people once he leaves school and already has his sights set on a career.

"He's got it in his heart now that he wants to be a policeman," said Mr Walker.

"I've already got things to enrol him in police college."

The awards sponsor, Kingswood educational activity centres, invited secondary school teachers across Britain to nominate exceptional young people.

When nominating Leon, his teacher Darren Berry wrote: "The most amazing thing I find about Leon is that he never willingly tells you about being a carer.

"He doesn't complain. He doesn't expect special treatment or consideration.

"He just lives his school life like any other boy and if you didn't know his background then you would have no clue what a physically demanding and mentally challenging life Leon leads.

"I am in awe that someone so young, with such responsibility, can be such a happy, keen and genuinely lovely boy."