A CARING Askam sister who stays by her poorly brother's side in hospital - often missing out on school holidays, birthdays and Christmases at home - is nominated for Christmas Stars.

Olivia Burton, 10, helps to care for her older brother, Reece, 15, who has several complex disabilities and has been critically ill in hospital at times with deteriorating health.

The young girl is a huge support to her single mum, Pam Burton. Olivia is selfless, wants to be with her brother and never complains about missing out on things. She spent the six-week summer holidays at hospital with Reece and her mum. She is also an amazing help at home and is first aid trained, so can assist her brother if he has a seizure.

Reece was born with Cystic Fibrosis and spent several months from birth in hospital. At five he had encephalitis, leaving him with a nasty brain injury and uncontrolled severe epilepsy. Since age of five Reece has spent most of his life in hospital, between the Royal Manchester, Alder Hey, Great Ormond Street and Furness General hospitals, fighting for his life on numerous occasions. This year alone he has only been home for four months in total.

Their proud mum, Mrs Burton said: "Reece goes through so much and he remains such a happy and positive young man. I am so proud of him.

"I am so proud of Olivia. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She is a healthy young lady but she spends a lot of her time at hospital when her brother is in, mostly at Manchester. She never complains, or even thinks twice about being by her brother's side.

"She's spent many of her birthdays, Christmases and other special occasions at hospital. This year, during the six-week summer holidays, she was by Reece's side every single day, this was her own choice. She could have stayed at home with family, but there was nowhere she'd rather be. Even her best friend Millie came to stay at the hospital with us for a little while. Even her friends see this as a normal life and adapt with us."

Mrs Burton said the past four years have been really hard for the family as Reece's health has deteriorated, particularly in 2015 when the doctor's felt Reece's time was coming to an end.

Mrs Burton said: "Olivia would sit and cuddle Reece in his ICU bed and read him stories, sing to him and play music, she was the only person that could get any response from him. The love they share and the bond they have is stronger than anyone else's. He adores his little sister and she really does brighten up his day.

"Olivia takes it all in her stride; she has never known any different as she was born into this life, which I think has made her have to mature very quickly. I burst with pride every single day, she really is a big, big star."

The family are grateful to Ronald McDonald House where they can stay at the hospitals. They are also thankful to be home for Christmas, as they have missed a number of Christmases at home. Mrs Burton says they are grateful for the "amazing support" from the local community team, community nurses, disability team social worker, occupational therapist, consultants, GP, and a continuing healthcare package.

Over the years, Reece and the family have also raised thousands of pounds for charities.

In previous years Reece has been nominated for The Mail's Christmas Stars for his bravery, but each time he was poorly in hospital. Although Reece is one year older than the age range for Christmas Stars this year, The Mail will be honouring him with Christmas treats as he has missed out on the celebrations on other occasions.

The Mail works with Heath's Toymaster, The Forum, the cast of Barrow panto Cinderella and Barrow and District Disability Association to celebrate courageous and selfless children in our communities and give them some magical Christmas surprises. Our bravery and selflessness winners receive an early Christmas visit at home from Father Christmas, who delivers beautiful toys courtesy of Heath's Toymaster in Dalton Road, Barrow.

The Mail is also hosting a very special Christmas Stars party at The Forum, in Barrow, next week where all our Christmas Stars nominees will meet the stars of this year's panto, Cinderella , and Father Christmas presents them with a gifts and surprises.