Sue is yummiest mum (From Stroud News and Journal)

Sue is yummiest mum

WHATEVER life throws at you, there's always one person you can turn to for comfort and a kind word - good old mum. In the early years it might only be a grazed knee, but later in life mum can be a crutch during troubled times. Our Yummy Mummy competition has revealed that the Five Valleys is full of wonderful mums. We were inundated with nominations, and although it was a tough decision, there could only be one winner. She is Sue Clark, who was nominated by 31-year-old daughter Emma Perry, who says she would have been unable to win her fight against leukaemia had it not been for her mum's unwavering care. Sue picked up her winning bouquet this week - which is national Yummy Mummy week. Here is Emma's entry along with the three runners-up.

I AM a 31-year-old woman and my mother Sue Clark is and has always been a huge part of my life.

In November last year I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

It was a great shock to us all, but most of all to my mum, who was devastated.

I started treatment, but after six weeks mum found she couldn't cope with the stress of holding down a full time job and commuting to Cheltenham General Hospital every day.

She decided to spend every day with me and was signed off from work. Due to the severity of the illness I was in a room of my own.

We used to sit and play games, watch DVDs, listen to music and paint our fingernails.

Even when I lost my hair, mum would put her arms around me and tell me it would be ok.

When Christmas came, I chose the presents I wanted to buy from catalogues and mum would go into town and buy them.

When I was discharged mum said I should go back home with her. Unfortunately, I fell poorly with meningitis and was taken back into hospital after just two weeks.

For three weeks mum didn't leave my side.

After recovering I was taken to Bristol Children's Hospital for more treatment and a bone marrow transplant courtesy of my eldest brother.

The weeks that followed were really tough but mum didn't leave my side, sleeping on a camp bed at my bedside.

Fortunately, the transplant was a success.

I just couldn't wait to get home, mum cooked me whatever I fancied and did my washing and ironing.

I have just had my latest results and they are currently all clear.

My mum is not only my mum but my best friend.

I love her with all my heart and she has been an inspiration to me not only through the last few months but the whole of my life.

I am blessed to have a mother as wonderful as her.

Emma Perry Little Australia Stonehouse