Caring Coran is an 'amazing teenager' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Holme Wood youngster who spends his time caring for his ill mother has been put forward for a top award

9:50am Tuesday 25th January 2011 in News By Tanya O'Rourke

A young carer who spends his spare time volunteering at a community centre has been nominated for an award.

Coran Oxley, 14, is on a management team at the Edge Project in Holme Wood, Bradford, and has helped the centre secure £350 for IT equipment.

He cleans at home and helps his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, to look after his young brother and sister.

The teenager also supported his family when his soldier brother Michael was injured in a mine blast in Afghanistan.

Coran has been nominated in Bradford Council’s Young Citizen Awards by youth worker Adam Woodhouse. “He’s quite an amazing lad for all he does,” Mr Woodhouse said.

The Holme Wood teenager also regularly helps out at a family group run by the Edge Project. “He comes and volunteers there and looks after the small children,” said Mr Woodhouse. “Someone who’s caring for his mum, his siblings, for him to come out and give up his own spare time, it’s amazing.”

Of finding out about the nomination Coran said: “It felt really good because I’m getting noticed for what I’m doing. When I’m older I want to be a youth worker.”

There are only two days left to nominate a youngster for a Young Citizen Award.

The awards recognise the achievements of young people in five categories, taken from the Government’s Every Child Matters agenda.

They are Be Healthy, Stay Safe, Enjoy and Achieve, Make a Positive Contribution and Achieve Economic Wellbeing.

There will be two awards in each category, one for children under 11 and one for young people aged 11 to 25. Anyone who wants to make a nomination should phone (01274) 433582 or visit bradford.gov.uk.

Nominations should be sent to Cain Lewis, Bradford Integrated Youth Service, 1 City Road, Bradford, BD8 8ER by this Thursday.

Anyone who wants a free ticket to the Young Citizen Awards Ceremony, which will be at St George’s Hall on Wednesday, March 9, should ring Mr Lewis on (01274) 432440.