AN INSPIRATIONAL childminder who has been fighting for better care for disabled children is on course to scoop a prestigious accolade.
Mum-of-two Helen Wynne, of Norman Road, Wrexham, cares for about 30 children and specialises in looking after youngsters with special needs.
Helen, along with husband Dean, were inspired by their own disabled son Dyfan, seven, to set up a specialist childcare company for disabled children – Blythswood Childcare Services – in a bid to help parents in the same position as themselves.
Dyfan suffers from a genetic condition called chromosome 8 deletion, which stunts physical and intellectual development, and he only has the mental age of a two-year-old.
He is the only person in Britain to have been diagnosed with the condition and is one of just five worldwide.
In addition to running the service and caring for Dyfan and her 11-year-old daughter Megan, Helen also finds time to help local mums and dads in her role as a parent advocate, advising on rights and entitlements and offering support.
And now the grateful parents of the children in her care have nominated her for the Tesco Mum of the Year award.
Helen’s story, which was featured in the Leader earlier this year, was chosen from thousands of nominations sent in from all over the UK.
Maureen Rice, editorial director of Tesco magazine, said: “We’ve had thousands of amazing nominations this year. With so many strong stories, it is difficult to shortlist them – but we certainly felt Helen deserved to be on the shortlist.
“We are all extremely excited about the 2012 awards, which promise to be the best yet, and we are very proud that we can continue to recognise mums as we have done for the past seven years.”
The annual red carpet ceremony, which takes place in London and attracts a host of celebrity guests, will celebrate eight inspirational mums who have made a difference to the lives of others.