Hereford mum named 'Mum Of The Year'

A mum from Hereford, Claire Sessarego, has won that's life! magazine's national Mum of the Year Award because of her inspiration story.

Claire went through a heart-breaking tragedy when she lost her sister Terri and brother-in-law Tom in a car accident after they dropped their 18-month-son Morgan off to nursery. She then lost both her mother Diane and her husband Ian to cancer within a three weeks of each other but throughout the horrific experience Claire always put her nephew Morgan first.

The 38-year-old has admitted her nephew is the only reason she's can get out of bed in the morning. She told the magazine: "Some days I didn't want to get up but I had to carry on for Morgan. He got me through it.

"He was strong and had lots of support from grief counsellors and his grandparents."

After her sister and brother-in-law passed away Claire's mum became Morgan's legal guardian but after her mum became too ill she was unable to sign over guardianship. However, Claire and Morgan were finally in for happier news when she was awarded a residency order for Morgan's care.

Claire admitted she was delighted when she was able to tell her nephew they'll live together forever. She said: "I had lost so many people, yet I was blessed to have this special little boy."

She even revealed Morgan celebrates her on Mother's Day: "On [the day] he gave me a homemade card. I cried sad and happy tears as I read it."

"My mummy is called Claire. She is loving, she is helpful and she takes me to KFC and buys me chicken and chips for tea… Happy Mother's Day. I love you," he wrote in the card.

For Father's Day Morgan celebrated the day and thought of Claire's husband Ian: "When [it] came around, he made a card for Ian.

"We attached it to a balloon to send it to heaven. As it floated upwards, Morgan smiled at me. I felt so lucky."

Following Claire's incredible story she won the Mum of the Year Award, appeared on the that's life's magazine cover, travelled to London for the glamourous photo shoot, won £2000 and got a £250 voucher from Buyagift.com.

On winning the award, she said: "There are so many deserving mums out there. I feel so lucky and honoured to have won. Morgan will always be loved by me, and all his guardian angels in heaven."