Wonderkid Daniel Rai

May 23 2010 by Zoe Chamberlain, Sunday Mercury

LOOKING after the children, going to the shops for groceries and cooking for the family are everyday activities for most mothers.

But these chores are dutifully carried out each day by 13 year-old Daniel Rai.

After returning from school, the caring teen takes charge of the house to give mum Ruth, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, a well-earned rest. And while he waits for dad Mohinder to get back from work, the young schoolboy will also entertain his four-year-old brother Cainan.

Ruth, 42, said: “Daniel’s a very good boy who helps me with everything, and never complains.

“When he comes home from school, he tells me to have a rest and will play with his brother and look after the house until his dad gets home. He’s also in the kitchen a lot and is very good at baking cakes and biscuits.”

Mum-of-three Ruth, from Leicester, was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago. She later had a stroke and now needs dialysis three times a week.

Forced to retire from her machine maintenance job with Walkers Crisps in 2003, she suffers badly with fatigue and sometimes finds it hard just to walk up the stairs.

This is where Daniel comes in.

He said: “I try to get home as early as I can and sometimes I’ll pick my brother up from school.

“I make him some food, maybe go to the shops, and give my mum her tablets when she needs them.

“I like to do it for her, because she’s my mum and I love her.”

Ruth said: “If I’m having a really rough day, Daniel just comes and takes over.

“I have to go on dialysis so much that sometimes it makes me feel down. But he will always give me a hug and a kiss and really cheer me up. He’s such a caring, loving boy.”

It was this caring attitude that made Daniel’s aunt Dawn Ebanks get in touch with the Sunday Mercury and nominate him as a Wonderkid.

She said: “Ruth’s children give her the will to live. Daniel is such a good boy who would do anything for her, so I thought he deserved this award.”

Daniel is a worthy Sunday Mercury Wonderkid.

Our Wonderkids awards, supported by Legal and General, celebrate children of courage. Each child and their family is invited to a special family day at Drayton Manor, where they are presented with a cheque, a medal and a front page of their story.

Garry Skelton, at Legal & General’s general insurance business, said: “Daniel is a big help to his mother, and he offers his help happily and without complaining.

‘‘We look forward to inviting Daniel and his family to the Wonderkids’ party at Drayton Manor in July.”