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Barnoldswick woman crowned 'caring mum of year'
A BARNOLDSWICK woman has been named "Caring Mum of the Year" at a national award ceremony honouring exceptional mums.
Dianne Preston (55) beat off more than 4,000 other extraordinary mums to be crowned with the Tesco magazine title - an honour which recognises her outstanding dedication as a mother.
The awards evening, in London, saw her rubbing shoulders with the Prime Minister and his wife Sarah, who personally congratulated her.
Mrs Preston, who is a full-time foster carer with husband David, was nominated by her three sons who thought she deserved to be credited for her hard work over 27 years.
The trio, who are all in their 30s, entered their mum after seeing the competition in the Tesco magazine.
Since 1983, Mrs Preston has been a foster carer, caring for 60 East Lancashire babies and children. Often taking them in from birth until the age of two, she has seen many severely ill children.
But Mrs Preston says she is merely "accepting them into her family and showing them love", and says she is still regularly in touch with them via photos and letters.
One child she took under her wing was Sophie, who was born 10 weeks premature with Down's Syndrome and autism. After growing enormously close to her, the couple adopted her. Sophie is now 14 and lives a happy life with her new mum and dad at their Barnoldswick home.
Mrs Preston said the award had come as a shock. She said: "I didn't know anything about it. Tesco magazine rang and said I'd got through to the final. I was shocked!"
Over the weekend, Mrs Preston and her family were whisked off to London, pampered and treated to a photoshoot, as well as having a nosey behind England's most famous door – Number 10.
She described the weekend as "fantastic" but admitted it was an "emotional roller-coaster". She said: "It was lovely to meet others. All the women there had their own stories, some who were bereaved parents. There were some very sad stories."
The evening was hosted by Fiona Phillips and Mrs Preston was presented with her award by ex-Eastenders star Jo Joyner.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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