Shane Young

There is very little that holds my mum back. She is one of the most inspirational person I've ever encountered. Over recent years she has had some pretty significant setbacks. After a battle with alcoholism my father died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage in 2000. Soon after that she was diagnosed with late stage non-hodgkin's lymphoma. With the help of some incredible NHS treatment and some serious will power, she survived that, only for her hip to disintegrate around a pin she has had in there for 50 years. She treats such things as minor hitches, never breaking her stride or losing her sense of humour. If anything she radiates happiness now more than ever. At 72, mum is a warm embrace and shoulder to cry on for friends and large family alike. She keeps in touch with her 5 children - spread over 22 years - and 8 grandchildren through texts, phone calls, emails, cards, notes and visits - whatever works. Everyone knows they are loved.   A retired curtain maker, she is always on the move, be it organising a village fête, acting as church warden, driving the local community bus or skiing in the Alps. She takes on every task with an enthusiasm that belies her years, and is never, and I mean never, short of time for you. In 2004 I travelled with her to Athens to cheer on Team GB. It is one of my Mum's most cherished memories. I could not think of a better way to top that then let her hold the Olympic torch. As inspirational figures go, she is the gold standard.I do not drive the local community bus, I am a member of a local `link` scheme which, upon request, drives old and infirm people to surgeries, day centres, etc.