A TEENAGER has been presented with a national carers award for helping her mother battle breast cancer and osteoarthritis.

Ely King, 16, from Hartlepool, has played a key role in caring for her mum all her life, helping her through various ailments, allowing her stepfather to keep working.

Ely was one of six carers nationally to win a National Carers Award at a ceremony in London.

She attended with her mother, Donna King, who nominated her.

The student has sacrificed much of her teenage life to always be there when her mother needed help.

While most teens are out with friends, Ely helps around the house, cooks dinner and cleans, on top of studying and supporting her mother.

After missing a lot of education due to staying at home caring, Ely has completed her GCSEs and is going on to study media at Brinkburn College. She’s then hoping to go to university and have a career working behind the camera.

“It was a complete surprise to hear that I’d won,” said Ely.

“It’s lovely to be awarded for something that I’ve done for as long as I can remember, without ever thinking of it as a chore. Everyone would be there for their mum if they needed to be.

“I’m really pleased that this will create more publicity around young carers and the great job they do."

Cormac Tobin, managing director of LloydsPharmacy, which sponsored the awards, said: “Her selfless dedication to caring for her mum is humbling."