Inspirational parents of Teesside were honoured at a charity awards ceremony.
The Remembering Rebecca awards were set up in memory of 21-month-old Rebecca Sands, who died from Lissencephaly, a rare brain condition, in August 2010.
Rebecca’s parents, Gemma and Ian Sands from Ingleby Barwick, arranged the awards on Saturday night as part of the charity which they set up in order to raise awareness of Lissencephaly and other neurological conditions.
Gemma, 37, who is a teacher at Rye Hills School in Redcar said: “The awards are another way that we continue to keep Rebecca’s memory alive.
“Through the charity’s work, we know so many amazing parents that we know believe they do nothing out of the ordinary so we decided these parents needed recognition.”
View gallery Remembering Rebecca awards
View gallery After nominations were gathered, seven finalists were selected.
Father of two, Chris Heslehurst, 33, from Skelton was crowned the winning ‘Inspirational Parent’ after being nominated by his wife, Fiona.
Chris was put forward for the care he provides for daughter, Leah.
Leah, 8, was born with Kleesftra syndrome, which is a very rare chromosome abnormality.
Leah’s condition was around the 35th case to be diagnosed in the world and so due to its rarity, Chris and Fiona set up a website to help other families in a similar situation.
Chris said: “I’m very grateful that the work of parents is recognised. All of the other parents are all worthy of the trophy.”
The event, which is the first of its kind, was held at the Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe.
Linda Birkbeck from Brotton was one of the seven finalists. Linda, 50, is mum to Xander, 10, Lara, 19 and Hannah, 22.
When Xander was only eight months old, he had a cancerous brain tumour. During the operation to have it removed, Xander, suffered two strokes and has since been diagnosed with gorlin syndrome, autism and epilepsy.
Linda said: “I couldn’t believe I had been nominated. Xander is the most happy person I know. He is an inspiration.”
Another nominee, Amy Sivewright, 25, from Norton was also humbled to have been recognised.
Amy is mum to four including Connie, two, who has cerebral palsy and visual impairment.
She said: “We had a lovely evening but I’m just mum.”
Nicola Maskell, 28, from Loftus, cares for her young son, Billy, four, who has dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.
Also mum to Lacey, six, Nicola said: “I never expected anything like that. I feel that we have just done what any other parents would have done in our shoes.”
Another of the finalists was Dawn Clasper, 42, from Ingleby Barwick.
As a single mum, Dawn tries to give the best of everything to her four children including Evie Grace, four.
Evie Grace was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which led to her having a heart transplant earlier this year.
Dawn said: “I am just mum. I make the best that I can from the situation. It was so enlightening to have so many people in similar situations in one room.”
Michelle Curry, 42, from Billingham cares for her son George, seven, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Michelle said: “George is a very happy and puts up wth so much. I just try to give him the best in life.”
Aimee Mann of South Bank was also in the finals for the devoted care she provides for her daughter Millie, 8.
Millie has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and visual impairment.
Also mum to James, 11 and Ebonie, 10, Aimee said: “I don’t feel like I need an award. I’m just Millie’s mum at the end of the day.”
After organising the touching event, Gemma Sands, who is also mum to Charlotte, 10 and Mikey, four, said: “Rebecca was sent to us for such a short time but she has certainly had an impact on many people.
“We would like to give our thanks to everyone who helped to make our event perfect.”
