A CARING schoolgirl from York who looked after her late mum for nearly two years while she suffered from motor neurone disease has received a host of Community Pride Award nominations.

Megan Harris, who is celebrating her 15th birthday today, was just 12-years-old when her mum Janine was diagnosed with the disease. From that day Megan took it upon herself to be a carer for Janine, while continuing her education at school.

She remained one of her main carers until about a month before Janine died, aged 49, on March 22 after a suspected heart attack.

Now Megan, of Lotherington Mews, Derwenthorpe, has been put forward for a Community Pride Award, in the Spirit of Youth category, after receiving more than 30 nominations.

She said: "It started off her needing stuff, getting a drink or something, and then it progressed. I had to help out more as time went on.

"At first it wasn't as bad. But when I had to help her go to the toilet and stuff it became quite difficult."

She said she was "surprised" to be nominated for a Community Pride Award.

Her brother Cameron is among those who have nominated her.

He said: "I myself was amazed just by seeing what she was doing as well as keeping her grades up in school.

"Imagine that, 12-years-old, helping your mum shower, go to the toilet, sacrificing your own childhood to help your dying mother."

All Saints' RC School pupil Megan has also been nominated by Louise Wigdahl, who commented: "Megan is the sweetest, kindest, most caring, brave and genuinely lovely young lady that I know. All her caring was done without fuss or complaint. She was amazing. Her family are all very proud of her."

Another nominator, Catherine Duffill, added: "She never complained and was brilliant. From the age of 12 Megan did the tablets, showered her, learnt to hoist her, everything. She is a star in everyone's eyes.

"Megan constantly worried about her mum when she wasn't with her and would phone while she was at school to get reassurance she was okay.

"She is amazing and her mum was very proud of her."

Megan's dad and Janine's husband Steve says he is "so proud" of his daughter.

He explained: "Megan looked after her mum for nearly two years so I could work, doing all the things no child should do.

"She probably became the main carer on nights. I was out working. She was at school and would come in from school. Even when we had funding for one carer they only worked from about 9am to 4pm. Megan took over at night and spent so much time with her mum."

More than 400 people attended the funeral of Janine at St Aelred’s RC Church in Tang Hall.

Steve told The Press how he felt “absolutely useless” when his wife suffered a suspected heart attack – because he had no idea how to perform CPR.

His son-in-law Benjamin Churchill, from YorMed, an independent ambulance service based in York, has helped launch a campaign in memory of Janine to train people how to carry out life-saving CPR.

The Community Pride Awards are run by The Press in partnership with City of York Council and the primary sponsor is York-based healthcare organisation Benenden.

All nominees must live in, or contribute to life in, the City of York Council area.

Three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October, when the winners will be revealed. Entries can be submitted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

You can also nominate online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride

The closing date for entries is Friday, July 21.