THREE Northside ladies are in the running for this year’s Woman’s Way & Beko Mum of the Year Award.
Hundreds of nominations countrywide have been cast, tears of laughter and sadness have been shed as entries poured in and the Dublin finalists have now been decided.
Marie Moffitt (60), from Swords, Carmel Fay (47), from Lusk, and Erica Fleming (39), from Dublin 17, are among the 15 mums that have been chosen to attend the finals at an afternoon tea as part of the Festival of Women this month. The overall winner will be announced on September 17.
Marie Moffitt’s can-do positive attitude and her love of learning were the main reasons that daughter Carly nominated her mum.
“I think my mum deserves this (Mum of the Year title) because of all her achievements and how she doesn’t let any excuse get in the way of her goals,” wrote Carly.
Marie decided to return to education through an access course in Plunkett College, then onto DCU where she has completed her first year in English Literature and Human Development.
“I’m the oldest in the class but I don’t care,” said Marie.
Carmel Fay loves her job as a care assistant.
“I’ve always loved it, it’s something that I like to do,” she said. “I try to help everybody.”
Nominated by her daughter Amie, Carmel battled with health concerns after the birth of her younger daughter Grace.
Carmel got the help she needed and on returning to the workplace, upskilled her abilities. She has gained her FETAC level five and six and is a few months into a new job with the HSE.
Erica Fleming, from Dublin 17 and her 10-year-old daughter are living in one room of a hotel with no access to cooking or laundry facilities. However, she refuses to get down.
“I’m not going to be negative about the situation much as it’s killing me inside,” said Erica.
She was offered a place on the Trinity Access Programme and would love to complete a degree in social work. Because of a change in circumstance she is no longer eligible for the allowance she needs to take up the place.
• Full details of the Dublin finalists’ stories are revealed in Woman’s Way Magazine (Issue 35).
