Sylvia is our mum in a million!
A KNARESBOROUGH mum has been crowned Wondermum 2009 in a competition run by The Sun newspaper.
Sylvia Flintoft, 77, was surprised and overwhelmed to be voted the top mum after her devoted family put her forward for the award.
At a special ceremony held at Claridge’s Hotel in London, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York presented Sylvia with her award. She said Sylvia thoroughly deserved it.
A host of famous faces attended the ceremony including Sarah Brown, the wife of PM Gordon Brown, and celebrities such as Nell McAndrew and Ulrika Jonsson.
Sylvia’s family nominated her for the title following her care and devotion to her family.
When her son, Ian, now 50, was 12 years old, he broke his neck in an accident which has meant Sylvia has had to care for him all his life. She gets up every morning at 5.15am to help him get ready for work at a call centre as he is in a wheelchair and has limited movement.
She also helped and looked after her daughter, Sue, 54 when she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and nursed her husband, Ken, after he had a fall and suffered bleeding on the brain.
Added to looking after her family, the Knaresborough mum also does voluntary work helping to cook and prepare meals for elderly people in the town.
Sylvia had no idea her family had nominated her until she found out she had won the area finals in April. Readers of The Sun could then text or phone in their vote from the six shortlisted finalists for Wondermum 2009 before the prestigious ceremony in London on May 23.
Sylvia said: “I can’t believe it’s me, I don’t do anything special. I’m just a mum, I just get on with it.”
Her prize included a luxury family holiday, a washing machine and a selection of shopping items from Asda.
The competition was sponsored by Asda and Persil.
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Weather for Harrogate
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
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