A PROUD daughter who describes her dad as a true hero has nominated him for a Proud of Barnsley award for all he does for his poorly wife and the rest of the family.

Philip Pickles is main carer for his wife Joan, 79, who has a number of health conditions including vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma and diabetes.

Daughter Dawn said: “My dad supports my mum in all aspects in her life, physically, mentally, emotionally and has never stopped loving her.

“My dad respects my mum’s wishes and beliefs and treats her with respect and dignity and sensitivity at all times.

“My mum does not want to go into a care home or have carers, she wishes for my dad and myself to care for her, so my dad respects her wishes.

“My mum is on lots of different medications and dad collects and sorts out all mum’s medication into pill boxes.

“He also helps with all mum’s personal cares and helps with making meals and drinks, assisting with medication and with social aspects.

“My dad takes my mum to BIADS which is Barnsley Independent Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support groups every Friday and plays bingo and socialises and they both enjoy going and they have made some friends.

“They go on the odd other social events with BIADS.

“My dad cares and supports my mum 24/7, the only time he has a little break and a bit of ‘him’ time is when he goes to the Barnsley matches.

“He goes to the home ones but he only goes to the away ones that are not too far away now, he used to go to all games.

“He has been a season ticket holder for years, I help look after my mum when my dad goes to the matches and I try and help out when I can but I work different shifts at the hospital.”

Despite health challenges of his own, Philip, 72, not only tends to Joan’s needs but also helps the rest of the family.

“Dad has always been fit as a fiddle and used to run marathons but he has suffered himself recently with severe bouts of sciatica and arthritis but he has kept muddling through to help mum.

“He also always tries to help us, he helps out with my dogs whilst I’m at work, he helps provide lifts when needed if convenient as I unfortunately don’t drive and helps out with the grandkids from time to time as him and mum have seven grandsons.”

As well as coping with Joan’s health problems, the Staincross couple are also facing the heartbreak of selling their family home of over 40 years.

“My mum and dad decided to put their much-loved family home of over 40 years up for sale due to mum’s health conditions deteriorating as she is now struggling in their three-bedroomed terraced house.

“It has a beautiful large garden she can rarely go up now due to steps going up the garden and is also struggling with the stairs inside their home, they have sold it subject to contract and they will be moving into a downstairs apartment if things run smoothly.

“I know deep down my parents’ hearts will be broken having to move and so will mine and my two older brothers but we need to make sure mum is safe and feels secure.”

Philip is well-known across the town having worked as a DJ and done kids’ parties in the past.

“My dad and our kids’ grandad - or ‘Grandio’ as my two boys call him - is a true hero in our eyes he does not moan, he just gets on with things and still smiles even though inside I know his heart will be breaking and I can see sometimes that he is really tired.

“He’s very funny and jolly, he’s very popular and loved by many.”

Dawn has nominated Philip in the Carer of the Year category.