Paralympic star Hannah: My mum deserves award
12:00pm Sunday 16th October 2011
A SUPERMUM who inspired her daughter to become a Paralympian is in the running for an award.
Sue Bouckley, 51, of Empress Avenue, West Mersea, has been nominated for Tesco’s Mum of the Year award by her daughter, sailing star Hannah Stodel.
Hannah, 26, whose team is ranked best in the world has represented Team GB at the Athens and Beijing Games. She puts much of her success down to guidance from her mum.
Mrs Bouckley has been shortlisted for the award from thousands of nominations from all over the UK.
Hannah was born without a right forearm, but her mum encouraged her to sail almost as soon as she could walk.
She recently raised £65,000 by remortgaging her house and seeking donations to buy a new boat for Hannah’s team, ready for the London 2012 Paralympics.
She only found out she was up for an award when competition organisers phoned her home.
She said: “I’m very proud Hannah would nominate me. I’m very shy about this kind of thing. I didn’t know about Hannah’s disability when I was pregnant so I learned a lot very quickly.
“I had her in a dinghy from the age of four. She always enjoyed it.
“When my other daughter, Abigail, was born, Hannah pointed to her and said ‘look she’s got two hands!’ She expected everyone to be like her.
“They are so close and have been a big help to each other.”
Hannah was taunted by bullies at school but found real joy in her sport.
She lists her mum, herself an Olympic-standard sailor, as a key inspiration.
A panel of celebrities, including Olympic heptathelete Denise Lewis, will choose three winning mums. The winners will be given a makeover, a Tesco magazine photoshoot and be presented with an award at a swish event in London.