TWO caring youngsters from Clevedon are looking forward to a very special Christmas after being awarded £10,000 for looking after their terminally ill mum.

TWO caring youngsters from Clevedon are looking forward to a very special Christmas after being awarded £10,000 for looking after their terminally ill mum.

Dale, aged 14, and Liam-Jack Gould, aged 12, of Pizey Avenue, have won a Carer of the Year award after being nominated by their mum Joy Emery.

Joy, aged 49, was diagnosed with renal cancer three years ago and says her boys' laughter, courage and support have helped her to get through the difficult times.

She said: "They've been absolutely fantastic. Dale took over completely. He cooked and when I came home from hospital they came shopping with me and pushed me in my wheelchair.

"Without their love, I would have given up a long time ago. They are lovely. They've missed a big chunk of their childhood and it's been hard on them, but I'm so proud of them.

"They've never asked why it is happening, they've just accepted it and know I will do whatever I can to stay well."

In January 2005 Joy had an operation to remove the tumour, which weighed 6.5 pounds, as well as her kidney, spleen and pancreas, but when the cancer grew back six months later she was told she had no time left.

She was then referred to The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she has been having radiotherapy to give her as much time as possible with her family.

Joy nominated her sons, who attend Clevedon Community School, for the 40 Christmas Wishes campaign run by Park Group savings company and now the winning family is looking forward to a special Christmas together.

Joy is using the cash to take her loved ones to a hotel in Shropshire for two days over Christmas.

She said: "We've booked to stay in the hotel where my husband, David, and I were married.

"I love Christmas and it's my fourth since I've been diagnosed and I'm still here, which is a miracle.

"I was worried we wouldn't have enough money to celebrate because I can't work at the moment, but it's going to be a real treat now."

Joy, who has three other children aged between 20 and 25, has made a book of wishes she hopes to achieve before she dies.

One of her ambitions is to go on the Orient Express and Joy will also be using the winnings to take her family for lunch on the grand steam train for her 50th birthday next year.