From the archive, first published Saturday 22nd Dec 2007.

INSPIRATIONAL Tracy Goodwin and Sean Gonzalez-Lambert have been declared the Daily Echo Carers of the Year, supported by Southampton Lions.

A panel of judges from the Lions Club, which every year supports dozens of good causes, had the difficult task of choosing the winners.

They chose mother-of-three Tracy, 41, who has cared for her partner Wayne Howard for the last seven years after he suffered severe brain damage and lost a leg in a motorbike accident

Tracy, who was nominated by Wayne's mother Isobel, said she was "shocked and surprised" but very pleased to have won the title.

"I can't believe it. All of the carers are very deserving," said Tracy, of Porlock Road, Millbrook, who said her wish is that Wayne, 38, enjoys as normal a family life as possible.

In the junior section Sean Gonzalez-Lambert was declared the winner for helping to care for his younger twin brothers who have Downs syndrome.

The 17-year-old Taunton's College A-level student said he could not believe he had won the award.

Speaking from the family home in Foundry Lane, Freemantle, he said he just got on with helping around the house and his twin brothers Eric and Joe, aged six.

Leonie Warnick, who helps to run the Southampton Young Carers' Group, nominated Sean who has taken part in many of the activities the group has organised.

She said: "Sean has developed a confidence that will take him far in life. All of the young carers that were nominated, and all the young carers, are unsung heroes in the community."

Since the Daily Echo launched the Carer of the Year award in conjunction with Southampton Lions we have been inundated with nominations for all the girls, boys, men and women whose thoughtfulness, care and dedication improves another person's quality of life.

Together we are very grateful to have received every single nomination - many of which have been featured during the past few weeks in the Daily Echo.

Peter Foxwell, the welfare chairman of Southampton Lions said: "It is just so nice to see how many deserving people there are out there.

"It is very difficult to choose a winner because they are all winners at the end of the day."

Jim Clarke, Southampton Lions treasurer, said: "It was very difficult to choose a winner in both categories as they are all so deserving.

"I would like to thank everyone who entered, The Daily Echo and Peter Foxwell for getting the competition off the ground."

The winners will receive their prizes at a ceremony at The Echo offices next month with Tracy winning £200, plus £500 to a charity of her choice and a special prize courtesy of the Southern Daily Echo.

Sean wins £100 plus a special prize. There will also be prizes for every junior nominee.