Reuben’s Retreat founder Nicola Graham has been shortlisted for the prestigious Tesco Mum of the Year award 2014.
More than 6,000 mums were nominated for the 2014 title, a record number, with just 34 shortlisted.
Coleen Rooney, wife of England footballer Wayne, is ambassador for the awards, with winners set to be announced in January after being selected by a judging panel of celebrities, Tesco key staff and ‘mummy’ bloggers.
Nicola gave up her job at Red Sea Holidays to concentrate on running the charity Reuben’s Retreat she started just two days after losing her 23-month-old son Reuben in August 2012 to an aggressive brain tumour.
The charity set a goal of raising £1 million in 23 months to set up a retreat for families with children suffering life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses and has already raised more than £500,000, much of which has come from the travel industry. Husband Mike works at Celebrity Cruises.
“I was quite humbled when I read through the shortlist. I am thrilled, it will mean a lot to get the charity shortlisted,” she said.
The awards honour women who go above and beyond the call of duty to help others and recognise ordinary mums who do extraordinary things. Women are nominated by family friends, colleagues and even strangers.
There are four categories – charitable mum, campaigning mum, community mum and celebrity mum – and one winner and runner up will be announced in each category.
Last year the award ceremony featured on TV, on Channel 5, and winners’ stories were publicised in national and local press and on television.