CAMELFORD’S Olivia Ferguson has won two awards at the 2017 MS Society Awards, which took place in central London on Friday, May 5.

Olivia was crowned ‘Young Carer of the Year’ for the support she gives her mother who lives with multiple sclerosis (MS). She also took home the ‘Digital Media of the Year’ award for advocating on behalf all young carers through her blog ‘The Odd Pigeon’.

The 16-year-old, who lives with her mother Kirsty and two older brothers, started caring for her mum when she was just eight-years-old. She helps her mum with day-to-day activities like washing, getting dressed and cleaning.

On weekdays, Olivia wakes up at 6am to help her mum with her medication. When she comes home from school, she helps prepare dinner and sorts the washing before doing her homework.

Olivia does this all while excelling at her studies, though sometimes she has to forfeit spending time with friends and other social activities.

Her mum Kirsty says that her contributions to the family are invaluable.

Kirsty said: “I am eternally grateful for the support she gives me and her brothers. Because of her selflessness, my life is easier and our home life is enjoyable.

“Olivia is my rock. It’s not just the physical support she gives me. She is there for me emotionally and helps me make decisions. MS is unpredictable and hard to deal with, but with the love and support I get from Olivia, MS is slightly easier to cope with.”

MS is an unpredictable condition that affects more than 100,000 people in the UK. It’s different for everyone, but is often painful and exhausting and can cause problems with how you walk, move, see, think and feel.

Along with supporting her mum, Olivia blogs about her experiences so that other carers know that they’re not alone. Through her blog ‘The Odd Pigeon’, she provides advice and information about caring to more than 17,000 followers in 57 different countries. She is also working with Cornwall Council to raise awareness of disabilities and young carers in schools.

But despite her blog’s success and her ongoing work to advocate on behalf of young carers, Olivia says she never imagined that her efforts would lead to this kind of recognition.

Olivia said: “It feels amazing to have won two awards. It’s a complete and utter honour. I never expected to win at all. To have my work and what I do for mum recognised is indescribable.

“I want to raise awareness of MS and get other young carers to realise that they can doing anything they’d like to do. There are so many of us and we have as much potential as anyone else on the planet.”

Olivia attended the awards with Kirsty and grandma Shirley.

In speaking about the ceremony, Olivia said: “There’s such a buzz. Being with the wider ‘MS family’ always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. It’s truly amazing. After the ceremony, we’re going to go to the Shard to celebrate. I’m looking forward to writing blogs about the day and spending time with my family.”

Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox, who presented Olivia with her ‘Young Carer’ award, said: “It’s super exciting being here at the MS Society Awards. I’m really chuffed that I’ve been invited to present an award.

“Attending such a positive event like this is invaluable for me playing my character, Nancy Osborne, who’s just been diagnosed with MS. I’ve got to hear so many people’s stories; it’s been so overwhelming. I’m having a lovely day.”