A TEENAGER who has selflessly helped his younger brother cope with disability and the death of their father has won a national award.

Adam Collyer, 15, is described as a rock to his brother Joshua, 12, who has severe developmental delay and autism.

He loves his brother “unreservedly and never talks of the limitations put on his family but only of the joy and laughter Josh brings” and plays with and supports him, their mother Jenny said.

In March, the boys’ father Andrew passed away suddenly – but Adam’s immediate concern was how his brother would cope with the tragedy and he was invaluable in supporting his mother and brother.

Now Adam, who lives with his family in a village between York and Helmsley, has been given an award by the charity Cerebra to recognise everything he has done. Adam was among nine children honoured at a prestigious ceremony at the House of Lords, hosted by GMTV presenter Andrew Castle.

Jenny said: “We have had some difficult times this year. Their dad died unexpectedly in March, which caught us all unaware. Adam’s first reaction was not for himself, his worry was: ‘How on earth are we going to tell Joshua?’

“Adam is one of those children who quietly and unassumingly gets on, does the right thing, tries his best. He’s well liked and well thought of, but he’s never won an award for anything.

“ I think to have his kindness and compassion recognised with such an award will be life-changing for him.”

Jenny said Josh sees his brother as a best friend. She said Adam grew up knowing his younger brother was a bit different, but quickly learned empathy and how to adapt play to engage his younger sibling.

Despite family trips often being problematic, Adam never complains and has developed a thick skin when it comes to Josh’s actions bringing about unwanted attention from others.

The charity Cerebra supports children and young people with neurological conditions and brain injury. For details, visit www.cerebra.org.uk