Young Carers, Lisa and Neil Calvert with Poppie-May Simpkins (5) and Callum Britton (9)

“I’M really proud of him. He does a really good job and I don’t know how I’d manage if he wasn’t helping me.”

Lisa Calvert, 38, from Wisbech Road, South Lynn, is cared for by her son, Callum Britton, aged nine. Mrs Calvert suffers with type-2 diabetes, ankylosing spondylitis – a form of inflammatory arthritis in the spine – and depression.

She was also diagnosed with conversion disorder in 2005, a condition in which people experience neurological symptoms such as numbness, blindness, paralysis or fits without a neurological cause.

All of these conditions mean the former support worker, who used to work for Merchants’ Terrace homeless hostel, in Lynn, and the Olive Tree women’s refuge, in Hunstanton, suffers from mobility problems.

Callum is one of many young people in West Norfolk aged between five and 18, who looks after a family member with long-term physical and learning difficulties, mental health or substance misuse problems.

Because of Lisa’s conditions she has to use crutches, a wheelchair and a stair lift. She also has to take painkillers and have steroid injections every day.

Mrs Calvert said her condition has “deteriorated” since last summer and her son, who also has to have a daily growth hormone injection, helps carry out chores around the house each day.

These include washing up dishes, putting clothes in the washing machine, hoovering and helping get his half-sister, Poppie-May Simpkins, five, ready for school. She suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Callum attends St Michael’s Primary School, in Saddlebow Road, and is “top of the class”, according to his mother, who added he has a reading age of 12, as well as excelling in maths.

Lisa added: “My only concern is that his progress at school will drop if I deteriorate. I’m proud that he is doing so well at school because a lot of young carers don’t function well as school. They slip behind.”

Callum, who said he enjoys reading the encyclopedia, told the Lynn News: “Sometimes I moan about having to look after mum but I just get on with it.”

He has attended the West Norfolk Young Carers’ Group since January, which gives him time to himself. “If Callum has a problem and doesn’t want to come to us about it he can confide in people at the group,” added Lisa.

Her husband, Neil Calvert, 31, is a full-time carer for the 38-year-old and said Callum’s caring is “excellent”.

He told the Lynn News: “Callum is not just a help for Lisa, he is a help for me as well.”

The Lynn News Young Carers’ Appeal was launched on Friday, June 10, and aims to raise £100,000 for all young carers in West Norfolk. This money will go towards young carer groups in Lynn, Swaffham, Fakenham, Downham and West Walton, which provide trips and activities.

The £100,000 will also provide transport to and from these sessions and one-to-one support in schools for these hard-working youngsters.

http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/campaigns_2_5348/carers_appeal_we_re_so_proud_of_him_1_2935142