EVERY day, when Bethany gets home from school, she gives mother Jane Crammond a wash. She helps with Jane’s physiotherapy, washes up and tidies, washes her mother’s hair twice a week.

It is a far cry from the way most 11-year-olds spend their evenings, but Bethany is different. Jane describes her as a “wise head on young shoulders” and certainly, although tiny in stature, Bethany does not seem to let life stand in her way. It was she who, aged eight, volunteered to care for her mother.

“It makes me feel happy inside that I can help,” she explains seriously. “It will help Mummy a lot to get better.”

Jane, who also has a 15-year-old son, was unaware of any health problems before she had the stroke, at the age of 42.

Although she went back to work at the Post Office afterwards, her poor mobility and balance meant she had to leave six months later.

A fall a few months after that complicated issues further and she is currently unable to leave the house.

“Bethany’s my rock ,” she says proudly. “She’s always there to support me, encourage me, to say: ‘Come on Mummy, you can do it’.

“She was only eight when I had the stroke but she just wanted to help. She’s a wise head on young shoulders.”

In March this year, one of Bethany’s teachers at Mundella primary suggested she get in touch with the Young Carers. The project, set up in 1998, supports youngsters looking after family members by providing support, advice and respite activities.

But a recent letter to Bethany explained that owing to funding cuts, the group would not be able to carry on offering activities as before.

Perching in her mother’s chair, legs swinging in her knee-length socks, Bethany explains exactly what the project means to her.

“Even caring for Mummy is quite a lot of work. Quite a lot of my friends don’t have to look after anyone and sometimes, I used to have rows with them because I had quite a bit of stress on my shoulders.

“I was really happy when I found the Young Carers because I could have breaks every now and then from what I do and meet friends. I managed to calm down because I knew I could have support and I lost some of the stress when I went out with them.”

Bethany was very disappointed by the news of the decreased funding but rather than dwell on the fact, she swung into action, organising a raffle to raise funds.

Pointing out a neat pile of potential prizes, she explains: “It made me really upset.

“Not just for me but for the rest of the young carers, I know they’ll be pretty devastated because they can’t go and relax as much as they could.

“What they do makes a lot of difference so I want to raise some money for them, maybe about £100.”

Bethany has already been given vouchers for activities at Folkestone Sports Centre, which has also offered the young carers a pool party. Other donations have been secured from local businesses and friends – but the determined youngster is not setting her sights too low.

“I don’t know how many other young carers there are”, she wonders out loud.

“Maybe some of them are trying to raise money too and we could get together. That would be really nice.”

Realising at this point that a coffee cup needs to be returned to the kitchen, Bethany jumps down from her chair to take it to her dad Alan Scally.

Looking after her daughter, her mother says: “It makes a huge difference, having Bethany, and the Young Carers makes a huge difference too, for her and the others.

“She does everything really, whatever she can. I’m so, so proud of her.”

Do you know a child carer like Bethany? We would love to hear their stories. Call the news desk on 01303 851655.

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