MUM Rebecca Mistry has hailed her seven-year-old son Sami a hero after he saved her life with his skill and quick thinking.
The schoolboy has learned to spot the subtle signs that his mum is about to suffer a terrifying attack as part of her daily battle with type 1 diabetes.
The alarming "hypo" kicks in when Rebecca's blood sugar levels fall dangerously low and could result in her falling into a coma.
But Sami, whose family live in Rushcliffe borough, has learned what to do when his mum suffers an attack, which can happen several times a week.
He prepares her medication, fetches her a juice drink to boost sugar levels and, if necessary, calls the emergency services to talk them through the crisis. "It's not really like fainting," he says. "She goes into her own little world, like she's flying into space in her imagination and stuff. I know from the way mum's acting and speaking."
"He's amazing, he knows exactly what to say," Rebecca, 32, explains.
"Sometimes I can be having an attack and won't even know because it happens so quickly. But Sami can walk into a room and tell immediately."
Notts County Council has a strategy to help a growing number of youngsters like Sami. Proposals include more training for young carers, an identity card system and a scheme to encourage schools and colleges to provide better support.
In the last year, the council has helped 221 young carers – an 11 per cent increase on the year before.