Ms Holmes was yesterday one of 80 local carers presented with a medal and certificate to honour their dedication during a ceremony at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.

At 31, she is not only a “good mum” to Trace but she also cares for her beautiful eight-year-old daughter Codee and her three-year old son Waryk. Both have cerebral palsy.

Now she is also a carer for her husband Evan who was seriously injured in a work accident.

“Being a carer, sometimes it’s hard,” Ms Holmes said yesterday.

“Sometimes you don’t want to lift your head off the pillow in the morning. But it is also very rewarding.

“You meet some beautiful people you would never have met if your weren’t a carer. It also presents you with some wonderful opportunities.”

Roden Cutler is a charitable organisation that travels throughout NSW delivering donations made by Sydney residents to nominated charities or support organisations, as well as recognising carers who dedicate their time to helping others.

Ms Holmes said her son and a friend had been in cahoots for weeks preparing the nomination.

“He only sprang it on me yesterday,” she said. “It was very hard not to fall to pieces.

“There are families that deal with a whole lot worse than I do.”

Ms Holmes said Codee only started at the Carenne School this year.

“Carenne is a real community,” she said.

“There is so much support for the students and their families that it feels like my own big family.”

Codee pretty much does everything her big brother does.

She enjoys riding for the disabled and particularly loves playing hockey.

“Anything fast, Codee’s into it. She’s a bit of a tomboy,” her mum said fondly.