SPECIAL mothers are being recognised by their families who have nominated them for the Mum of the Year award in a competition run by the Gazette’s parent company, Newsquest. JANE WILLIAMS reports on one inspiring mother who combines many different roles.

WHEN her mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Maxiene Fraser did not have any second thoughts – she welcomed her into the family home at Stanway and cared for her “Maxiene always puts others first,” says her husband Andy, of the time she spent caring for his mother, Jenny, and then, after her death, helped with funeral arrangements.

Maxiene will make time for others, as she does for her daughters.

It is one of the reasons why Andy has nominated Maxiene for a Newsquest Mum of the Year award. “She’s a mum and wife in a million,” he says.

Andy says Maxiene devotes considerable patience and time to supporting her eldest daughter, Ellie, who has autism. Ellie’s condition, which includes social problems, means it is difficult to even take her to a supermarket so caring for her can be a full-time job in itself.

And Maxiene has had to reduce the hours she works with BT in order to be there for Ellie – taking her to the many health appointments she needs.

But Maxiene still manages to play her part by being a parent governor at Stanway Primary School, where Ellie and her six-year-old sister Molly attend school.

“Everyone at the school has been so good with Ellie that I wanted to give something back,” explains Maxiene.

Her week is taken up with the many demands of being a mother – taking Molly to karate and Rainbow sessions and Ellie to Guides and drama club. She has taken on much of the responsibility as husband Andy is away during the week. Andy has had to go back to lorry driving, which takes him away from the home after being made redundant.

“I don’t know where she finds the time or energy,” says Andy, of Maxiene’s active life.

Which is probably why he felt she was the ideal candidate for Newsquest Mum of the Year.

l The deadline is now closed for entries. Regional winners of the Newsquest Mum Of The Year will be announced in January 2009. They will then go forward to a national vote to find the UK’s Mum of the Year in February.