By David Gold

Stephen Thomas_Hannah_Stodel_and_John_Robertson_17-10-11October 17 - British Paralympic sailing star Hannah Stodel (pictured right) has nominated her mother, Sue Bouckley, for Tesco's Mother of the Year award.


Stodel credits her mum with her success in becoming a key part of the world's leading three-person keelboat team.

Stodel competes with Stephen Thomas (pictured left standing) and John Robertson (centre) in her boat, which will be aiming for glory at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Tens of thousands of mums have been nominated for the Tesco award, and 51-year-old Bouckley will be in the running after encouraging her daughter to sail despite being born without a right forearm.

She has also made significant sacrifices, including raising £65,000 ($102,200/€74,500) recently through remortgaging her house as part of a campaign to find donors to contribute towards a new boat for Stodel and her team ahead of London 2012.

Bouckley 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."

Three winners will be selected by a panel of celebrities, which includes Denise Lewis, who claimed gold in the heptathlon at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Competition winners will receive a photoshoot, makeover and receive the award at an event in London.

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