Sisterly love wins a YOPEY

Divashya Parmar of Luton who won the Junior Bedfordshire Young Person of the Year award

But the judges of this year’s Bedfordshire Young People of the Year awards obviously think differently – they have just crowned her the county’s junior winner. And founder Tony Gearing has asked Divashya if she’ll do him the honour of joining the judging panel next year.

The Year 9 Harlington Upper student of Turnpike Drive, Luton, is overwhelmed by all the attention. She was nominated for her devotion to her younger sister Ganaya, who was born prematurely with cerebral palsy.

Divashya has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness about her sibling’s condition. She’s always there to offer help with physiotherapy, homework and simply having fun.

She said: “Anyone would do what I have done. Ganaya’s my sister and I haven’t done anything special.”

But no-one was more excited than Ganaya when Divashya’s name was called out. Proud mum Jayshree says she’s been telling everyone who’ll listen that her sister has won a YOPEY award.

> The top award went to Dawood Masood from Luton.