• Photograph of Antonia with Deputy Headteacher, Michael Vassiliou.
‘Young Carer from St Andrew the Apostle School helps to Raise a £1,000,000M for Charities
Antonia Bilgin, a Young Carer who lives in Enfield has taken part in Global Radio’s ‘Make Some Noise Emergency Funding Campaign’ which raised a million pounds for small charities across the capital who are supporting vulnerable people at this time. As a result a grant was secured by Enfield Carers Centre where Antonia is part of EyPIC (Enfield Young People in Caring), the Young Carers Support Project at the centre. The grant also went towards support for adult carers in Enfield.
Antonia was interviewed in March on Heart FM and her inspirational story of support and care for her family was shared across the radio-waves. In response to this interview, over a million pounds was raised.
Listen to her interview below
On Tuesday 8th December Antonia, aged 11 and currently in Year Seven at St Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox School, was surprised by Heart FM live on air. She received a package of Christmas presents to congratulate her for all her hard work and efforts and in recognition for the support she has given her family over lockdown and since students returned to school in September. As a young carer, Antonia not only looks after her family, she also supports her mother with her 5 younger siblings: Maria, 10, Alitia, 8, Raphaella, 7, Ilkinos, 5 and Nikita, 2, who also received Christmas presents.
Antonia’s Mother, Niki Bilgin, said, “She is my pride and inspiration. She has had an enormous responsibility thrust upon her at a time where she ought to be carefree and yet I have never heard her complain.”
Antonia herself has said, ‘I don’t mind … anyone in my position would do the same for their mum. When I found out I did not know what to say, but I was over the moon. I really like raising money for charity and helping other people.”
Acting Headteacher at St Andrew the Apostle School, Michael Vassiliou, and all at the St Andrew Apostle School community are incredibly proud of Antonia. Mr Vassiliou stated, “Antonia is an inspiration to us all. I am humbled and proud to have such a student representing our school.”
The manager of the young carers project at Enfield Carers Centre, Carla Brain, said,
“We are very proud of Antonia and all of the Young Carers that we support in Enfield, we currently have 600 Young Carers all aged under 18 who are caring for a loved one.
They are an inspiration to us all.
We would also like to thank Global Radio for all their support and the people of Enfield who have donated over 500 Christmas Gifts to the Young Carers Project this year.
If you know a Carer or Young Carer who needs support, please call us on: 0208 366 3677 or look us up on our website: www.enfieldcarers.org.