The Winner, 2007
After much deliberation, the judges have chosen a winner. Congratulations to Karen Baker!
Karen Baker
Karen Baker from Harrow was nominated by colleague Angela Dias, the Chief Executive of Harrow Association of Disabled People, who wrote in to love it! magazine with Karen’s story.
Karen has really made a difference to people around her. She provides full time support for her disabled daughter, Nicky, gives support to her colleagues in a busy role, and also looks after her father, who has Alzheimer’s disease and needs a lot of care. Not only this, but Karen’s husband has epilepsy and she is his key support. Her second daughter has also needed extra help with her education. On the side, Karen is pursuing a career in hairdressing and visits the elderly. She has also been learning sign language in her spare time. As if that wasn’t enough, Karen herself has been living with cancer for years.
The Four Finalists, 2007
Julianne Durkin-O’Brien
Julianne Durkin-O’Brien from Liverpool was nominated by her mum Julie who wrote in to love it! magazine with Julianne’s inspirational story.
2008 is a far cry from four years ago when Julianne was given the terrible news that her son, Conor was suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 and would not live beyond his first birthday. Never giving up, Julianne took her son to the US where an eminent respiratory specialist, Dr John Bach recommended a programme of treatments to manage Conor’s illness. However the treatment was expensive and Julianne raised funds tirelessly to help her son be happy and well.
In spite of Julianne’s efforts, in 2006 when Conor was 3, he was admitted to hospital where his lungs collapsed. Everyone thought he was to die, but doctors performed a tracheotomy and little Conor survived but was ventilator dependent and hospital bound.
Julianne could not bear to see her little boy away from home and, using the same grit and determination rallied the hospital, a local Housing Association, friends and family to recreate Conor’s hospital room in her own sitting room. Professionals were amazed at Julianne’s determination and seven months ahead of schedule little Conor came home.
Nathalie Hodgson
Nathalie Hodgson from Co. Durham was nominated by her friend Shauna, from Consett who wrote in to love it! magazine with Nathalie’s story.
Nathalie Hodgson has shown the most amazing courage since tragically losing her son, Ben in a freak accident in January 2007. Whilst doing his homework, 13-year-old Ben was chewing on his pen lid, which became lodged in his throat when he fell off his chair. Despite this tragic loss, Nathalie found the courage, determination and strength to carry on each day and to keep Ben’s memory alive. Her passion to prevent the same thing from ever happening to anyone else is truly inspirational.
Nathalie has focused all of her grief and emotion into campaigning for better safety standards for pen lids. She has also organized many charity events to raise funds for equipment for the intensive care unit where Ben was cared for but later died.
Linda James
Linda James from Cardiff was nominated by her son Alex, 13, who wrote in to love it! magazine with Linda’s inspirational story.
Linda James discovered what every parent dreads – that her son Alex was being bullied at school. He’d tried to hide it, but the effect it had on him was so profound that Linda realized something was dreadfully wrong and persuaded Alex to tell her what was going on. Herself the victim of bullying at school, Linda took it upon herself to help not only her son, but others going through the same feelings of vulnerability and helplessness.
In early 2006 she founded Bulliesout, now a registered charity. She is passionate in her belief that no one has the right to hurt another individual and fulfills her role in the charity with constant determination and motivation; organizing fundraising events, training volunteers, and writing literature in order to inform and advise.
Nadine Walters
Nadine Walters from Godalming was nominated by her best friend Marie Troake, from Somerset who wrote in to love it! magazine with Nadine’s story.
At age 13 Nadine, after suffering agonizing pain in her shin, discovered she had developed a cancerous tumour which could only be eradicated by removing 90% of her shin bone. This resulted in Nadine having an open wound and having to rely on crutches to walk for 2 years, during which time she had rigorous Chemotherapy. Her cancer returned soon after and Nadine was given 3 weeks to live, but after a trip to South Africa, leukaemia was diagnosed, which was cured through treatment. She has now been in remission for 15 years.
In 2005 Nadine met the man of her dreams and after a romantic wedding was desperate to start a family of her own. The doctors said that due to the amount of Chemotherapy Nadine has endured it would be very unlikely that she would be able to conceive naturally. Against the odds Nadine did conceive naturally and fell pregnant with identical twins. However, when Nadine was 16 weeks pregnant her consultant discovered that her babies had Twin to Twin transfusion which threatened to kill the twins. Nadine and her husband decided to let nature take its course and in October 2006 Daniel and Noah were born by caesarean section and they are now the proud parents of two gorgeous one-year-old boys. Nadine organises events for Breast Cancer UK to help others cope with their own battles against cancer.
The Winner, 2006
Nicole Gallagher, 44, of Beckenham, Kent
Nicole Gallagher from Kent was nominated by her best friend because of her care and devotion to her children who both suffer from rare medical conditions.
When Nicole fell pregnant with her second child, a seven-week scan told her that her unborn daughter, if she survived, would grow up disabled. Nicole never once considered a termination, and following a 26-hour labour, Aishling was born with internal malformations and was taken away for immediate surgery. Nicole spent the first four months of her new daughter's life by her bedside. It was during this time that her first daughter, Niamh, was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation - where parts of the brain protrude into the spinal column. Niamh, now 7, and Aishling, 5, have between them endured more than 20 operations.
Lesley Pearse said:
'Nicole is an inspiration to all mothers. To have two children with severe medical problems, the endless sleepless nights, the agony of waiting by hospital beds, the fear and the anxiety, must be terrible. Yet Nicole has taken it in her stride without complaint, she sparkles and bubbles and doesn't ask 'Why Me?' I think she is marvellous and a truly courageous woman.'
Elizabeth Smith, Penguin's Commercial Marketing Director, said: 'We have been incredibly moved by the stories we have received; all the women nominated have shown such bravery and sacrifice in their lives. Nicole's story touched us all. Her selfless and positive approach to dealing with such a heart-breaking situation is incredibly inspiring; she is a deserving winner of the first Lesley Pearse Women of Courage Award.
Karen Pasquali Jones, Editor of Love It!, said: 'Reading about how Nicole has loved and cared for both her children was an incredibly moving story. Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world. All any mum wants for her children is that they can lead healthy and happy lives. Nicole is making sure that both her beautiful children manage to live fulfilled, contented lives, despite the challenging medical problems they face. The fact Nicole has managed to do so with such selflessness and grace shows that she is a true woman of courage, and an inspiration to us all.'
Gerry Berkley, Woolworths' Books Trading Manager said: 'We at Woolworths are incredibly proud to be associated with the Woman of Courage Award and are delighted that the prizes went to such worthy and deserving winners.'
The Four Finalists, 2006
Sue Salmons, 56 of Hertford, Hertfordshire
Sue Salmons from Hertford was nominated by her neighbour and friend because she has tirelessly and selflessly fostered over 200 children as well as adopting two children with medical problems. Sue and her husband, George, both come from big families and love children. With this in mind, as well as a desire to help other people, they began to foster children. Over a period of 26 years, Sue and George fostered many children and adopted Kris and Claudia.
George sadly died last December, aged 61. Sue nursed him at home after he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Despite her husband's death, Sue continues to foster children.
Rachel Clark, 28, of Harpendon, Hertfordshire
Rachel Clark from Harpendon was nominated by her husband because of her fortitude and courage after their son was born with a rare genetic condition, Zellweger Syndrome, which meant that he died very young. Rachel and Richard devoted every moment to caring for their son before he died at the age of 10 months. After trying for another child, Rachel then went on to suffer a miscarriage. Still not beaten she and Richard decided to become foster parents. They now look after 2 children.
Eletta Palmer, 25, of Bradford, West Yorkshire
Eletta Palmer from Bradford was nominated by her sister because she took on responsibility for raising her siblings after the death of their mother. It was on the way home from a family holiday at Pontins in Blackpool that the car her mum, Joanne Palmer-Parchment, 40, was driving, crashed on the motorway. She was killed instantly, along with Eletta's 13-year-old sister, Celeste. Her 18-month-old twin brothers, Kyle and Kieron, were also injured, but survived the crash. Eletta had been driving in a separate car, with her two sisters Sheleen and Nilanthie.
At that point, Eletta was already a single mum to Aisha, then 3 and Rahees, 18 months. At the age of 24, she took on full responsibility for looking after her brothers and sisters whilst also looking after her own children and going to college.
Gail Shuter, 46, of Wickford, Essex
Gail Shuter from Essex was nominated by her daughter for her selfless courage in overcoming the abuse she suffered as a child and young adult at the hands of her father and husband and for keeping the family together despite her own illnesses.
Gail went into care at an early age and when she fell pregnant at the age of 15 she was moved into a mother and baby home. Even when the staff put pressure on Gail to give her baby up for adoption she refused and fought to keep her. After eventually moving in with her boyfriend she gave birth to 2 more children. Gail's relationship broke under the pressure of looking after 3 children which left Gail a single mother at 28.
The 2006 Women of Courage Award
Champagne and Flowers
Lesley and winner Nicole Gallagher!
Penguin MD, Helen Fraser
Lesley and finalist Eletta Palmer
© 1995 - 2008 PENGUIN BOOKS LTD