Selfless Ellie and Isobelle Tyson, 10 and six, and Joshua Armstrong, 12, are young carers who help their mum Lin Tyson who has rheumatoid arthritis.
The Barrow family have been through an extremely worrying time over the last couple of months. Their mum was admitted to Furness General Hospital with an ear infection and high temperature but then suffered a severe reaction to her medication.
Mrs Tyson was in intensive care and in a coma. The 33-year-old had developed liver failure and was transferred to specialists at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where she underwent an emergency liver transplant a fortnight ago.
Mrs Tyson is now recovering after receiving the gift of life from a donor, but she is 150 miles away from her children and husband Derrick Tyson.
The family have made visits and it looks like they will be spending Christmas at the hospital, unless Mrs Tyson is allowed to return home for a couple of days.
The children have been young carers for a number of years and are members of Furness Young Carers.
Their father served in the British Army with the Royal Logistics. Mr Tyson, 32, is now an army reservist, while also training to be a mental health nurse, so he still has time away from home on operational tours.
Mr Tyson said: “The kids are brilliant, they are absolutely fantastic children. We are so blessed to have them and so proud.
“It has been so hard for them being away from their mum who is 150 miles away.
“Lin has constantly said how immensely proud she is of the kids and she is so pleased with how they have carried themselves during this time.”
Mr Tyson said the family have tried to keep the children busy with their hobbies and clubs, which include Furness Young Carers, Instep School of Dance for the girls and football with Furness Rovers for Joshua. The family are grateful to the family of the organ donor.
Mr Tyson said: “Someone has lost a loved one and we really feel for that family. We are so grateful for Lin’s organ donation.
“A lot of people say we have been really unlucky, but have been blown away by how fortunate we have been for Lin to be able to have a transplant.”
The family are thankful to all who have supported them locally and in Newcastle, including LIVErNORTH, a liver patient charity which has helped the family with accommodation.
Furness Young Carers nominated the children to be Evening Mail Christmas Stars for the way they have coped through this worrying period, alongside their everyday selflessness as young carers.
Susan Jones, of Furness Young Carers, praised their positive attitude and said: “They deserve a treat as the family has been under a great deal of stress.
“They continue to attend after school club with a smile on their faces.”
Christmas Star is sponsored by Heath’s Toymaster.
The bravery and kindness winners will receive a visit from Santa at home next week. Nominees featured in the Evening Mail are invited to attend a special Christmas party with Santa and friends on Wednesday at 4.30pm.
OTHER CHRISTMAS STAR NOMINEES:
Luis Marshall
Ella Holden, Ellie McCabe and Katie Pugh
Chloe Beecroft
Connie & Joe Ellison
Oscar & Jasper Holt
Ryan Bickle
Daniel Harris
Hari Townson
Leah Waddington
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