A thirteen year old Young Carer from the Isle of Wight has won place at a Leicestershire dance school and wants to take the next jete towards becoming a professional ballerina.

Her family needs to raise £20,000, to cover tuition fees and the extra costs of accommodation, uniform, travel, competitions, food and other extras.

A Go Fund Me appeal has launched, aiming to raise the cash in time for Amelie Jones to accept her place at Kings International Ballet Academy in September.

She has been offered one of only five full-time places available in her year group.

Isle of Wight County Press: Amelie Jones at Kings International Dance School and (r) with dance teacher Joel Morris.Amelie Jones at Kings International Dance School and (r) with dance teacher Joel Morris.

Since she was very young, Amelie has helped care for her dad.

Tom Jones had FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), which meant he had seizures, stroke-like episodes, paralysis, loss of speech and permanent chronic fatigue and often spent time in hospital.

When he could no longer work, Amelie's mum, Sarah, had to reduce her working hours significantly to look after him.

Three years ago, an undiagnosed heart condition called Wolf Parkinsons White was found to be the cause and Tom had an operation, which has helped his physical health to improve. However, the years of illness have had a lasting impact.

Isle of Wight County Press: Darcey Bussell and Amelie Jones at Cowes Yacht Haven in 2019.Darcey Bussell and Amelie Jones at Cowes Yacht Haven in 2019.

Over the years, Amelie's sister has also needed extra care, due to autism.

Amelie's dream is to make dancing her career.

In 2019, she was thrilled to meet former Royal Ballet School principal dancer and ex Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcey Bussell, when her dance school visited the Isle of Wight. Amelie even got to pose for a photo with her hero.

In May 2021, Amelie won her ballet solo in the Southampton dance festival and she is due to compete in the All England semi finals, in Portsmouth later this month.

Mum Sarah Jones told the County Press: "Amelie has read all of Darcey's books and was thrilled to be stood next to her in the photo taken during her visit.

"Ballet has been Amelie's form of escapism - a place where she can go and forget about what's going on at home and express herself through what she loves doing the most in the whole world.

"She has had to see sights that no child should have to and the constant worry has been terrible for her. "

Isle of Wight County Press: Amelie wants to attend a dance school in Leicester and has launched a Go Fund Me page.Amelie wants to attend a dance school in Leicester and has launched a Go Fund Me page.

Amelie has been accepted on a two-year Professional Dancers Foundation course but the school is not Government funded.

Kings International Ballet Academy says it offers: "Private tuition, tiny class sizes, individual attention, timetables arranged around you not a year group , international exposure to choreographers and directors, a caring, nurturing environment that will enable you to train to be the best you can be."

Sarah told the County Press: "It is a place where she would flourish, and she is desperate to go.

"Amelie is a real inspiration - she has never once complained about everything she's had to deal with in her role as a Young Carer and at times it's been horrendous for her.

"She has also never let it stop her from striving to be the best that she can be.....she is fiercely driven and extremely hard working and dedicated when it comes to her ballet."