A YOUNG man has overcome his anxiety and physical disability to become a ‘pillar of the community’ through volunteering.

Brynn Westwood, 28, suffers with duchenne muscular dystrophy, that causes his body to fail and has left him paralysed.

At 12, the boy from Royston was in a wheelchair and now he can only move his fingers and hold his head up.

He needs constant one-to-one support including a breathing aid at night to ensure he doesn’t suffocate in his sleep.

On top of all this, Brynn is on the autism spectrum and has severe anxiety that for a time left him trapped within his own home.

Yet, with the help of his aunt and full-time carer Martine Bradley - who he moved in with after his mother Nicola Westwood died from lung cancer - he has been able to overcome these issues, and now volunteers at Royston’s Manor Court Community Centre, where he hosts a weekly bingo session and sings to entertain the elderly.

Martine told the Chronicle: “Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe form of muscular dystrophies.

“People with it don’t usually make it to 22 or 23 - he’s done incredible to get to 28 and be as independent as he is.

“But also he’s so positive with his well-being, he takes everything in his stride.

“He started going out to volunteer at Mapplewell Manor Care Home where he did a quiz and sang - he was comfortable in there because it supported his needs with wheelchair access and things, but with the pandemic he had to shield and back away.”

As lockdown began to ease, Brynn moved into volunteering in his hometown, becoming a valued member of the local community.

“He’s a massive part of this community,” Martine added.

“He’s really comfortable at the community centre, it’s a place of peace for him.

“There are lots of older people who are stuck at home, so his sessions give them a reason to get out once a week.

“Royston really is his home, his community - now he can go out to the shop on his own and people are able to help him.

“He’s a pillar of the community.”

Brynn has been nominated for the Triumph over Adversity award at this year’s Proud of Barnsley Award, as he continues to give to others despite the issues that restrict him.

He said: “I love doing what I do.

“I’m making people happy which then makes me happy as well.

“It’s great to see what I do change people’s days and get to know all these new people and make friends.

“People appreciate the work I do and hopefully that will encourage more to come down.

“I just feel good inside knowing I make others happy and help them get out when they don’t very often.

“If I can’t go one week because I’m ill or something they check in to see if I’m okay.”