AN ILKLEY schoolgirl who "always lives life with a smile on her face, even when times get tough" has scooped a Yorkshire Child of Courage award.

Rosey Naylor, aged 13, and a pupil at Ilkley Grammar School, was named the best Young Carer in the 13 to 18 age range category in the awards which recognise the region's bravest and most courageous children and young adults.

Rosey had been nominated for helping her mum Michelle Naylor cope with a traumatic head injury and for caring for children with complex disabilities. Michelle ensured her daughter travelled to the Leeds award ceremony in style, in a limo, accompanied by family and friends including her sister Hannah, Kaitlin McNulty, Barney Street, Lewis Hunter and Rebbeca Picken.

A spokesman for the Yorkshire Child of Courage explained why Rosey won the award: "Rosey Naylor always lives life with a smile on her face, even when times get tough.

"The 13-year-old lives with her mum, dad and sister, who has autism. After mum, Michelle, fell over following a slip on black ice a few years ago, she suffered brain damage and now has epilepsy. Her mum has fits throughout the day and has been taken to hospital on several occasions.

"Throughout her mum’s battle, Rosey has cared for her. The youngster arranges her medication, calls 999 in emergencies and looks after her sister, who worries when being home alone with her mum that she cannot take care of her.

"Family and friends have described Rosey as ‘one of the most caring and thoughtful people’ they have ever known. The inspirational youngster also helps a friend of her mother, who has adopted three children with special needs. She puts on such a brave face and even though she is given a terribly hard time at her secondary school from other girls, still keeps on smiling."

Rosey's mum Michelle, 45, said the family had received hundreds of messages of congratulations since the ceremony on Friday evening: "It was like being in a dream and it was the most emotional evening," she said.

"Our family are blessed with so many friends it's overwhelming. Although we have had such an awful thing happen to us just as I tell my children all the time 'it's a wonderful world'."