An utterly selfless teenager “put aside her own feelings and life” to make memories with her ill brother before he died.

Georgia Ross, 15, helped mum Claire Ross-Duffield take care of Oli Ross, including holding his hand through treatment and sleeping in his room.

She also learned to use his medicine so the siblings could take trips to the cinema without Claire “tagging along”.

Oli, from Ashford, was 17 when he died in August this year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2021.

At his funeral, friends and family lined the streets as the car made its way to Oli’s final resting place.

Now, Georgia is among just three youngsters in the county to be shortlisted for ‘young sibling of the year’ at the Sense Awards, hosted by national disability charity Sense.

Georgia said: "Being nominated for the award means so much to me.

“I always wanted to prioritise spending as much time as I could with Oli as I knew time was so precious – there is nothing I wouldn't have done if it meant I could make memories with my brother.

“With everything I did, it never felt like I was doing anything special or different to any other sibling in my position – it was just an act of love and, with everything he was going through, it was the least I could do if it helped him in any way or made him smile."

Georgia, who was two years younger than her beloved brother, made him her world after his shocking diagnosis, when he was just 15.

She was forced to grow up quickly and deal with the painful understanding that Oli would not get better.

Focusing entirely on him, she helped fundraise for his immunotherapy treatment in Germany and travelled there with him, reassuringly holding his hand throughout treatment.

She also raised money for Oli’s bucket list and made photo frames of his experiences - including the siblings and their mum getting all dressed up for afternoon tea at The Ritz Hotel.

And when Oli wanted to go to the cinema without mum, Georgia learned to use his rescue medicine and made it happen.

Later, as Oli’s condition sadly deteriorated, Georgia regularly slept in his room to give her mum a break and to comfort him.

Mum Claire, 41, said: “I have been blown away by Georgia’s maturity and love for her brother.

“She put aside her own feelings and life to give Oliver the best possible support and to make wonderful memories whilst they had the chance.

“I hope being shortlisted for this Sense Award shows Georgia how special she is.”

Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker, Melanie Walles, who supported Oli and his family during his illness and nominated Georgia for the award, said: “Too often siblings go unrecognised for the vital role they play in supporting their family, yet I regularly hear parents say that they couldn’t have coped without their help.

“Georgia is a wonderful and exceptional example of this.

“Her main goal in life was to be there for her brother, in every way he needed her to be, and she succeeded.

“I am so pleased that Sense have a young sibling of the year award to shine a light on siblings like Georgia, helping them to recognise just how special and wonderful they are! Well done Georgia!”

Sense will be revealing this year’s winners at its awards ceremony on November 23, which will be hosted by disabled presenter and actress Samantha Renke.