Local Scout Honoured for Quiet Dedication to His Sister and Community

William, 16, supports his sister Ellie, 15, who has spinal muscular atrophy, alongside his

volunteer work with Scouts and several jobs – including being the milkman for his village of Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon.

On 13 November, he was awarded the Unsung Hero prize at the 31st annual Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards.

Will said supporting Ellie feels “almost ingrained into me” because he has “grown up doing that kind of stuff”.

“We’re really close, particularly for siblings, because sometimes siblings are not so close,” he said. “I feel nice helping her and it’s just something I do.”

His support ranges from helping Ellie sit up in her chair, picking things up when she can’t reach them, and sometimes helping to feed her. He explained that he often ends up doing more chores than other people his age because his parents are busy caring for Ellie.

According to the NHS, spinal muscular atrophy can cause muscle weakness, movement difficulties and issues with breathing and swallowing.

Ellie said: “He teases me a lot, which is what an older brother does. I like that about him because he doesn’t only see my disability. He sees me as a person – and as a sister who is quite easy to tease.”

She said she was “really happy” that Will received the award, adding that he “really does deserve all this”.

Will first heard about the awards after receiving an email from his head of sixth form during the summer holidays. “They didn’t actually tell me I’d won – they told me I’d been shortlisted,” he said.

At the ceremony, he and his family realised no other nominees were being announced in his category. “I thought I was only there as a nominee, but then realised, ‘hang on, I’ve actually won this thing’.”

His mum, Yvonne, said she was “very proud” on the night. “When he went up for it I was nearly in tears – I couldn’t even take pictures. We can’t ask for a better son, really.”

Alongside being a young carer, Will volunteers as a young leader with Scouts, helping to run weekly sessions at his local group and supporting canoeing activities for young people across North Yorkshire.

“This is something I’ve done my entire life,” he said. “I really enjoy it and I like teaching other people the skills I’ve got.” He added that while it can be “a bit of a burden” on his time, he doesn’t mind because it’s fun and rewarding.

The award also recognised his work as a milkman, his role as a wheelchair football refere

e, and his musical talents. He accompanies his school choir on the piano, plays bass in the school band, and French horn in the wind orchestra. He has also won several prizes at the Harrogate Music Festival.

“A lot of my time at school is dedicated to music,” he said. “Some people say I might live at the music block.”

Alongside all this, he also coaches wheelchair football and delivers milk in his village six days a week.

“At the awards, they were reading out the list of things I do and I was like, ‘did I really say that

many things?’”

After strong GCSE results last year, Will now hopes to pursue a career in medicine, inspired by the doctors who support Ellie. “They take time to explain things to me and ask how I’m feeling and how my family’s feeling. I’ve been in hospitals a lot and they’re almost like another home to me.”

Will said life would be “boring” if he didn’t “get out there and do things and make the most of what is not the best situation”. He added: “I want to get as much out of my life and childhood as I can. There’s a quote I like – ‘we can’t change the cards we’re dealt, only how we play the hand’.”