Kayleigh carries torch for brother (From Evesham Journal)

Kayleigh carries torch for brother

9:30am Friday 31st August 2012 in News

AN Evesham teenager carried the Paralympic torch during the final leg of its journey.

Kayleigh Hawkins, aged 17, was nominated to take part in the relay yesterday by Acorns Children’s Hospice. She was chosen for being an inspirational sister after caring for her brother, Jake, before he died last year aged nine from Leigh’s disease.

Miss Hawkins carried the torch from Harrow to Brent as one of a team of five nominated by the charity. She said: “It was a sensational experience.

The atmosphere was overwhelming.

Thank you, Acorns, for this once-in-alifetime experience.”

“When they first told me I couldn’t take it in. People always say well done for what you did, but to me it was just normal. He couldn’t walk so I would help get him into his wheelchair. It was a normal thing for me to do for my brother.”

Her mum Emma Evans said she was very proud of her daughter. She said: “She was an inspiration when she helped care for her brother Jake.

“She was there for me and Jake and learnt everything to help me care for him.

“Everyone thinks she is inspirational.”

The pair are also planning to do a skydive to raise money for the charity on Sunday at the Hinton Airfield in Hampshire.

To sponsor them, visit justgiving.com/emma-evans9.