Two good Samaritan students who have selflessly helped their mum have become real-life Christmas Heroes.
Maisie-Jayne and Ellie, both 12, have been presented with ‘Christmas Hero’ awards for their inspirational care for their teacher mum after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
They were nominated by mum Natasha, a teacher at King Alfred School Academy in Highbridge, after they demonstrated selfless acts of kindness and outstanding character.
Last year Natasha was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer and the girls stepped up to the mark, becoming young carers.
They supported their mum so she was still able to work as much as possible with their help at home where she could rest.
Maisie-Jayne and Ellie have been made Christmas Heroes by The Priory Learning Trust because they have supported their mum at home since that time.
They have been doing more and more around the house as their mum has gone through cancer diagnoses and treatment including surgery before Christmas last year.
Maisie-Jayne and Ellie have been responsible for some light cooking, washing and general household duties when their mum was not as mobile as usual.
Their most important jobs were being able to make mum nice hot drinks and watching movies with her, cheering her up with their funny stories and senses of humour.
Natasha says: “MJ and Ellie were my rocks while I was going through treatment, they supported me to still function.”
“They enabled me to still be able to be a teacher as well as a mum as they looked after me, supporting me in roles including running the Rotary Young Chef competition held at TKASA in February while I was undergoing chemo.”
“The girls attended on a Saturday and followed all my instructions, leading young chefs around the school and supporting me while I sat down, really being amazing daughters as at the time they were in primary school.”
The wonderful students even supported their mum through chemotherapy and radiotherapy and never slipped back on their school work, still sitting their SATs continuing with school work and homework, always giving 110% even when they did not feel like it.
They have also become talented young football players for their team and primary school.
Ellie was top scorer last season with Maisie-Jayne supporting her sister in defence, playing for Weston Mendip FC.
The students were winners in the Christmas Heroes campaign at Worle Community School Academy, part of The Priory Learning Trust, in partnership with the Grand Pier.
Principal Mark Tidman and Director of Secondary Education at the Priory Learning Trust, Gregg Morrison says: “We are super proud of Maisie-Jayne and Ellie. They sum up everything this school is all about. We celebrate heroes every day as part of our PROUD plan to inspire students to be Prepared, Respectful, Optimistic, Understanding and Determined.”
The Christmas Heroes initiative saw them rewarded with prizes sponsored by the Grand Pier including a free rides pass.
