I was lucky enough to be asked to attend the Tesco Magazine Mum of the Year Awards photoshoot. It was held in a house in Balham, South London. I have to admit from the outside I did wonder where I had been sent, but as soon as Nicola the Art Director opened the door I can understand why they picked the house. Interior design to aspire to doesn't even half describe it, stunning and the perfect setting for such a special photoshoot.
I met four of the mums; the first Mum I spoke to was Joyce Real Radio Mum of the Year (pictured wearing the green top) who had travelled all the way from a village outside Edinburgh. At the moment she is looking after 3 foster babies and her grandson 4 days of the week. However, so far she has fostered 33 babies many of whom were born with drug and alcohol problems. I was am
azed at this, in fact to be honest, I was totally speechless and this is quite a rare thing for me. Joyce felt that she wanted to give something back and that every child is entitled to unconditional love. Children have rights and she is more than happy to fight their corner.Clearly an Uber mum I wondered if she had any good tips for the likes of you and me. Joyce swears by the calming power of a bubble lamp and wrapping them up tightly. Its worked for all of her foster babies and something I hadn't thought of. This weekend I'm going shopping for one in case it has a nice calming effect on toddlers as well!
Diane Godin Commu
nity Mum of the Year from Potters Bar is walking proof that you really can make a difference to your local community. She set up a disabled and special needs charity (the Potters Bar Special Needs Group) which provides outings, play sessions and support for local disabled and special needs families. This something which was lacking in her area and she has made a real difference to peoples lives. She also helps a scout group and football groups. Overcoming breast Cancer, Diane has also run the London marathon to raise money for charity.Julie Walker from Hull set up the Katie Walker Cancer Trust in memory of her daughter. The charity which has done amazing work including convening a meeting about teenage cancer and providing financial support to families.
I wondered how becoming a mum had changed her attitudes to life, I know it has affected mine. It transpired that Julie who had her daughter at 19 felt that she grew up almost instantly and became a lot more caring. Katie's story is one that you must read and talking to her mother I learnt such an enormous amount about cancer in children which is so often overlooked. I asked her what her message was and I think that it is such an important one, that her answer should be drilled into new parents: "...never give up, always question , never accept the first answer". You can find out more about the Katie Walker Cancer Trust here.
Finally I met Julie Chambers Inspirational Mum of the Year. About to have a baby in just six weeks, Julie had also travelled down from Hull. Julie campaigns tirelessly for organ donation. Her daughter Zoe needed a heart transplant after being born with a congenital heart problem, following a campaign by the Daily Mirror which encouraged 1.2 million peopl
e to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor list a heart was found, unfortunately Zoe died aged two and a half, however Julie has continued campaigning. The Facebook page that she set up has provided support for thousands of parents. You can find Julie on Twitter: @moonandochamberAll in all, the photoshoot was a brilliant day. It was great to meet some of the mums and lovely to see them enjoying some well deserved pampering. I understand that they are being taken out for a special day of shopping so they can look their very best for the award ceremony. If any mums deserve it they do. Please take some time to look at the Tesco Magazine Mum of the Year Facebook Page and lend your support.
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