A GODMANCHESTER teenager who helps to care for her disabled sister has been nominated for a young people’s award by her friends.

Amy Hogg, 15, of Orchard Way, has been nominated for a Cambridgeshire Young People of the Year (YOPEY) award by friends Lauren Woods and Robyn Goldsmith, who are in the same year as her at Hinchingbrooke School.

Amy’s sister Louise, who is 16, has Down’s Syndrome and as a result has unclear and delayed speech as well as challenging behaviour.

Amy’s dad, Ian, said that Amy helps Louise with her personal care and day-to-day activities that the rest of us take for granted.

He said: “Amy is so loving and friendly to her that Louise calls her ‘her sister friend’.”

Louise can protest if she does not want to do something �so Amy often sits at home with her and younger sister Bethany, aged 11.

Amy said: “Louise means the world to me. I love her so much. I calm Louise down and comfort her.

“I love her calling me her ‘sister friend’. The fact that she has made up this name makes me feel more special.”

As a nominee, Amy stands the chance of winning the top prize of �800 from a prize pot of �2,000 put up by Huntingdon firm EACS and other organizations across Cambridgeshire.

Lauren, 14, of The Osiers, Buckden, said she admires Amy for the way that she still works hard at school and takes part in extra-curricular activities despite the distractions of helping Louise.

She said: “Amy is really nice and kind to everybody else and never moans about what she does.”

Robyn, 15, of Croftfield Road, Godmanchester said: “I often listen to her talk about her home life and about how living with a sister with Down’s Syndrome affects her life.

“She will sometimes come into school and be tired but what is great about her is that she still manages to be a nice and kind person.

“We want her to know that she is appreciated and that we think she is great.”

The awards ceremony will be held at Peterborough Cathedral on September 13 and the event will be open to the public for free.

INFORMATION: To nominate a young person for the Cambs YOPEY, log on to www.yopey.org. Nominees must be aged from 10 to 25, Young people can nominate themselves.

Entries close on June 30.