Wonderful mum is an inspiration

A toast for Swindon heroine Susan Trowbridge, by Craig Layhee, West Swindon Asda availability manager, left, husband Kevin and daughter Natalie

With no doubt West Swindon mother Susan Trowbridge, 44, can really be called a super woman and deserved the all-expenses paid trip to London with her family to attend the Asda/Sun Wondermum awards for five finalists at the Savoy Hotel on 20 May.

Susan from Cartwright Drive, Shaw was nominated by her daughter Natalie in recognition for the love and hope she has given to her three children, the eight children she and husband Kevin have provided long term foster care for over the last eighteen years, and also their adopted son.

Natalie said, "my mother is an incredible person who gives so much to all around her. She will do whatever she can for you and is the most loving, fun, exciting, caring, brilliant mum in the world. Her commitment to the children who have come into our home for long term foster care has been incredible; she and my dad have made such a close knit and supportive family. When I had my son at an early age, she was my strength and now is a wonderful nanny and my son's best friend."

Susan has had her own trials recently. Last year Kevin was made redundant then a few weeks later a beauty salon venture collapsed when a partner suddenly pulled out. The stress resulted in a bout of viral meningitis. But Susan re-gained her strength and now holds down three jobs as well as training to be a hairdresser at Swindon College.

Although she did not win, Susan said she came away feeling a winner in herself. "The other women finalists all had truly incredible stories, told on an amazing day. I hardly remember anything about it because I was crying so much. I've been spoilt so much and I would like to thank everybody who has given me this experience."