Meet the amazing Hartlepool teenager who cares for her mum every day and is now planning a fundraiser to help others

Ebony Brown who is planning a fundraising run and bake for charity.

Ebony Brown, 15, already does amazing things at home in Hartlepool where she supports her mother Christine Rae, 40.

Christine, from the King Oswy area, suffers from back problems as well as other health issues. But Ebony, who is one of 2,000 young carers in Hartlepool, gets up at 6am every day to help her mum.

Now, to help others, Ebony has launched a fundraising drive for the Hartlepool Carers group, especially its Young Carers section.

Ebony with her family, including mum Christine.

On May 7, she will do a 2.6mile run along the beach from King Oswy to the Headland and back to raise money.

And when she gets back, she will bake 52 cakes to split into 26 boxes and will hand them out to other families in lockdown.

Ebony’s excellent effort is part of the 2.6 Challenge which is aiming to help charities that are struggling because of the restrictions, with many fundraising events being cancelled during the pandemic.

Christine, whose sons Brett, 17, and Corey, 14, are also at home and who are also an invaluable support, said: “Ebony helps with the cooking and cleaning. She helps me to get dressed and in and out of the bath.”

Ebony, who goes to High Tunstall College of Science has been a carer for her mum since she was 11 and Christine added: “She is a little superstar. It’s amazing. She is really shy but she has taken this task and said ‘I am going to do it’.

“She is up at 6am and helps me get dressed before she goes to school. It is the same again when she gets in.”

Christine also praised the support of Hartlepool Carers who are ‘absolutely fantastic. They are constantly asking if you need any help. The children have had holidays away with them and the Carers have dropped parcels off during the lockdown.

Earlier this month, the Hartlepool Mail reported how more than 12,000 people in the town were caring for others during the lockdown.

But Hartlepool Carers chief executive Christine Fewster was over the moon that Ebony and her family were supporting their work.

“We are delighted to hear Ebony and her family are supporting a much needed project. As a community we need to raise awareness of Young Carers, who carry out practical and emotional support to parents, siblings and other family members living with long term illnesses and disabilities.

“Young Carers are inspirational young people and something we should be shouting about.

Ebony is a great ambassador of Young Carers and we couldn’t thank her enough for her support in helping other children around the town. We wish her all the luck in her fundraising appeal.”

To support Ebony’s fundraising, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/challenge-26?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR1zMU7KlXWf-9dke08BnBorteNVAIkslnyR5E6lznXJpQc_72izIwOElhQ

The Hartlepool Carers group is offering many different types of support for people during lockdown including its ‘Care for a Cuppa’ session which is a virtual weekly get together every Wednesday at 10am, available by visiting the Hartlepool Carers Facebook page.

To find out about the latest coronavirus updates and case numbers, visit the Hartlepool Mail website.

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