WINNING MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE

There were so many moving tributes to dedicated and devoted mothers that is was very difficult to choose the best.

The winner is Ben Tubby's simple sketch of a typical day for his hard-working mother Lydia Tubby, of Ludham in Norfolk.

My mum is amazing - this is a typical day for her. She gets up at 5.30 to milk the cows, at 7 o'clock she goes indoors to get my sister up and take her to school. Then she comes back up to the farm to help me and dad feed and litter the cattle. When we are finished she makes our breakfast and then does all of the housework and the farm accounts - just in time to get our dinner ready. In the afternoon she milks the cows again until 4.30pm when she goes to collect my sister from school. On her return she comes back up to the farm and helps us to finish off. Then we go indoors and she has our tea ready for us, and I don't mean convenience food. She serves proper home-cooked food. It takes a great mum to milk cows and cook tea at the same time. On top of all of this she hasn't had a full day off since November and the current foot-and-mouth crisis is really worrying her. I feel that she deserves a day of pampering more than anyone.

My mum is truly one in a million - she puts up with ME for starters! and also my two kids, either she's a saint or she needs her "bumps feeling"!! She's not been in the best of health for some years, but very seldom complains and has NEVER failed to be there for me and my kids. Without her (and dad) I wouldn't be able to hold a job, have a social life (or ANY kind of life really!) as I'm a single mum and they have been totally invaluable.

FIONA PRITCHARD, LEEDS

It's my birthday today and 38 years ago my mother started the long process of being my mum. My mother deserves the top prize because she's been my rock. She has dedicated her life to her husband and children and now grandchildren. She was a great beauty in her day, so far as to sharing a boyfriend with Elizabeth Taylor, she also danced in the Great Gatsby. Life has given her some terrible knocks and she has never let it make her become bitter or cynical. She hasn't had a holiday in over 10 years and a health farm would be just what she needs.

FIONA HARVEY, MELBOURN

Well done for making the transition from 'Mother' to 'Friend'. Thanks for always welcoming us home when we can make it and for understanding when we can't. Thanks for your continued patience as we continue to grow up and for your inspiring perseverence as you move on in your own life. Thanks for being a woman of faith and shining like a star. lots of love, daughter Adele

ADELE CUSHING, LIVERPOOL

When I am lonely I think of you,
I pick up the phone and you always manage to cheer me up.
I may not be the best daughter in the world,
But you are definitely the best mum in the world. Without you I would not be where I am today.
Now I am getting older I would like to say,
I am here for you mum and will be always.
You have always done everything you could for me. Thanks for everything I miss you so much,
I guess it’s a part of growing up ‘
I Love you Mum

ANNA CREWDSON, GRIMSBY

Well my mum deserves to win as she has looked after me all my life and most importantly for eightyears when I had ME. For some of my illness I was confined to my bed, but my mum still helped me even though she worked all sorts of hours. She has sacrificed some of her life to help me and even some of her friends. I cannot thank her enough and would love to be able to show her.

JAMES FOWEN, CARDIFF, WALES

I have lived in Germany for the last 18 months and my mum is still there for me. Three years ago I had a very messy break up with my then long-term boyfriend, and she stuck by me and supported me financially and emotionally until I decided to go abroad which she has fully supported also. The best way to describe my mum, and I will tell anyone who will listen, is that she is my best friend who just happens to have given birth to me as well. I couldn't have done the things I have done in my life without her. I have managed to reach 24 without doing too much damage to myself, without her it would have been more I am sure. I wanted to thank my mum for being the special person that she is and she certainly deserves it, she has worked hard to give my brother and I the most well balanced upbringing possible. My mum is incredible and I wouldn't change for the world, I just wish I could be with her on Mother's Day.

JENNIE ADAMS, GERMANY

My mother is so wonderful because she is numebr one. I couldn't get her somthing nice but when I saw this competion Iwas happy mothers Day

STACEY DAVIES, PONTYPRIDD

My mum is the greatest mum in the whole world. I popped out five weeks sooner than I should have done, and as a hungry baby have always been very demanding. My mum didn't have any pain relief when I was born, so that it would be a totally natural birth, and so that I would have the very best start. I am now 20 months, and no matter how often I am sick, or tired or just grumpy, my mum is always there with a hug and a kiss, just to let me know that I am loved and that all is OK. When my daddy is away working, my Mmum has no time to herself, and has to spend the whole day looking after me. When I grow up, I'm going to buy my mum a big holiday to say thank you for all the times when she had no break at all. But this won't be for a while as I havn't even got a job yet to pay for it. I love my mum, and on Mother's Day, I am going to give her lots of hugs and kisses to prove it.

WILLIAM DANIEL, READING, BERKS

My mum is so special to me -she works so hard as a night nurse in a hospital and a manageress of a shoe shop in the daytime. At times she is up for 48 hours without sleep at 53. My mum and me have been through alot with surviving a car crash together where she was critcical state she two major operation last year where it went wrong and had to resubmitted. She has been through alot lately put always manages to put us five kids first. I love her so much and she derserved it.

CARRIE KEMPSTER, WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE

My mum is the best mum in the world. She loves me unconditionally whatever I do. There is no way I could ever repay her for all the things she has done for me, and all the sacrifices she has made. If I am half the parent she is, I will be a great parent. She is simply the best.......!!!!

K.WEBB, RAINHAM, ESSEX

During the past few years I've put my mum through total hell! I've done loads of things that have upset her dearly - problems with the police, problems with school and recently problems with college. Despite all the horrible actions I have carried out my mum has always been by my side. I can't remeber the last time I ever went without anything! I know I'd never be able to make it up to her but if I win this it could be a start. All I've ever wanted is for my mum to be happy again but I just always muck it up in the end. Please help me to make it up to her by giving her this wonderful present. I Love you so much mum and I hope you can forgive me for everything I've done.

VICKI JAMES, SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE

My mum has been a tower of strength to me for the last eight years when my marriage fell apart. She helped me with my two children who were aged six and 18 months, helped me to see a future for the three of us. Seven years ago my dad passed away, he and mum had been married for 43 years. They did everything together and spent every minute with each other. Mum suffered badly from depression and then was seriously ill with pneumonia. Thankfully, she recovered and came off anti-depressants two years ago. She comes to visit regularly, is always there when I need her and even though I know she does still feel very lonely without dad, I want her to know how much I love her (as do her grandchildren) and we will always be there for HER when she needs us.

MRS JACQUI BRIERLY, COVENTRY

As I have become a mum myself, I realise just how special my mum has been.Through all the inappropriate boyfriends, "you know nothing looks" across the living room and numerous life crises. Mum had been there, quietly in the background with a strong pair of arms at the ready if needed. So I would like to say thank you - thank you for the laughs, the hugs,, the ability to tell a good bottle of wine at one sip, to enjoy life with my family. Lastly to know that if I end up like you , thats not a bad thing to be. love Jen

JENNIFER HEPPLE, MANCHESTER

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