Tesco Magazine Crowns Kym Ryder and Jakki James Clarke Winners

05 March 2008

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Tesco magazine crowns Kym Ryder as celebrity mum and Jakki James Clarke as overall winner in their third annual star-studded event.

Today, Sunday 2nd March 2008, Tesco Magazine held their third annual, star-studded ceremony, which took place within London’s glamorous Waldorf Hilton Hotel. The winning mums were joined by Celebrity Winner Kym Ryder, Patron/judge Sarah Brown, host Matthew Wright and celebrity guests including; Beverley Knight, Kelly Hoppen, Nicky Clarke, Gail Porter, Kay Burley and Linda Bellingham to celebrate their courageous and outstanding achievements.

Wet Wet Wet performed a surprise performance, to the delight of the winners and their families. Graeme, from Wet Wet Wet says, “We’ve just performed and it was an absolutely amazing experience to play to such a dedicated audience in honor of such special and unique people in the world as mothers.”

Nominated by close friends or relatives, the 11 winners are chosen by Tesco Magazine from over 3,000 entries for outstanding achievements across categories including ‘Lifetime Achievement’, ‘Supportive Mum’ and ‘Overall Winner’. There is no doubt that Jakki is fully deserving of the title ‘Overall Winner’.

Tesco Magazine judges said of Jakki, ‘Courageous, achieving, inspirational, positive; the resolve that makes her a most remarkable woman, and we are proud to be able to recognise her as our 2008 ‘Overall Winner’.

On hearing about her award, Kym said, ‘I’m shocked and thrilled to have won this award from Tesco magazine. And I feel humbled to have won alongside such amazing mums, whose stories are truly incredible. I brought lots of tissues to the awards ceremony as I knew it would be a really emotional and inspiring day.’

Overall Award Winner - Jakki James Clarke, 38, Lincoln

There is no doubt that Jakki is fully deserving of the title ‘Overall Winner”. Jakki has lived through every parent’s worst fear. In 2002 she learnt that her beautiful 13-year-old daughter had been brutally murdered. Despite enduring this terrible ordeal, Jakki was determined to use her devastating experience to help others in their time of greatest suffering. It is due to her sheer courage, perseverance and selflessness that Jakki has been named Mum of the Year 2008.

Celebrity Award Winner – Kym Ryder, 31, Warrington

Corrie favourite Kym Ryder was named Tesco Magazine’s ‘Celebrity Mum of the Year 2008’. Kym, who plays barmaid Michelle Connor in Britain’s best loved soap, is devoted to her family, never letting her hectic schedule get in the way of being mum to David, 12 and Emily 10. Judges were impressed by Kym’s work-hard ethos and tireless dedication to charities including BeatBullying & Diabetes UK – she’s a role model to mums everywhere.

Achieving Mum Award Winner - Patricia Ayres, 62, Gloucester

At 19 years old, Pat’s daughter, Heather, now 34, was diagnosed as suffering from Anorexia and Bulimia. At the time, little information was known on the conditions and with no local support Pat knew she had to take action. After reading up on the life threatening illnesses and in light of her own experiences, in 2003 Pat set up the only eating disorder help group of its kind in Gloucester. Its success has been so huge that Pat received an MBE in recognition of her work.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Joan Robinson, 70, Burnley

Joan is a mother of ten children, five of which she has adopted. Joan has shown incredible commitment and ongoing support by opening her home to over 300 foster children over the past 42 years. Nominated by her adopted son Tommy, 39 he said, “I owe my parents everything. If they hadn’t fostered me, I wouldn’t be the person I am today”.