Now Longsands School pupil Carolyn Cheek is urging other residents to jump on board the fundraising train in a bid to raise money for Huntingdonshire's Young Carers, through the Town Crier's We Care appeal.

Carolyn, who lives in Perry and is studying for A Levels in history, law and psychology, joined the young carers project at the tender age of 12.

Tirelessly caring for her mother, a young Carolyn found much needed support and respite through the charity, taking part in trips to Thorpe Park, Cadbury World and others.

Carolyn said: "I think the Young Carers Project helps children get out of the real world and have some fun with children who are in the same situation as them."

Sadly, due to a lack of sustainable funding, the project which is part of the St Ives-based charity West Anglia Crossroads, is currently running on a skeleton programme and is permanently in danger of closure if the money pot runs out.

The Town Crier's We Care campaign is trying, with the help of the community, to raise £10,000 for the charity, but Carolyn is ahead of the game.

Through a jumble sale, raffle and tombola at Great Staughton village hall last month, the inspiring teenager single-handedly raised £294.50 for the charity.

Carolyn added: "If Young Carers closed I think it would be very bad. I think a lot of children would probably suffer as a consequence and probably some of the parents would suffer too.

"I thought it would be nice to raise some money for them. It was quite a lot of hard work, but it was worth it in the end.

"If you can raise money and have time to do it, it's a great idea to do something."

Young Carers project manager Lucy Francklin, who has been working with Carolyn since she joined the group, explained due to lack of funds the number of children they currently offer support to has been cut down from 280 to less than 70.

She said: "I think Carolyn is a very admirable young woman. We are very proud of her and we are really impressed with what she has done."