Elaine is Ayrshire mum of the year

Mar 27 2009

SHE’S a mum in a million – and that’s official.

Elaine Neil is raising five children single-handedly.

And according to her kids, she’s doing a great job.

The 45-year-old mum was devastated when her husband died tragically five years ago.

But with five youngsters to care for, Elaine set aside her own grief to give them all the love and support they needed.

Daughter Helen, 17, explained: “Mum’s great. She always puts us first.

“She’s raised us alone since dad died and it must be really hard.

“She just gets on with things and always tries her very best. We all love her and we couldn’t ask for a better mum.”

Helen entered Elaine in our contest to find Ayrshire Mum of the Year 2009.

And her story was so impressive it captured the hearts of our judges, who voted her the winner.

Helen’s entry says: “I know we don’t always see eye to eye, but no matter what our problems are we have our mum.

“She’s always there, she tries her very best. She gives us a roof over our heads, feeds and provides for us.

“No one could ask for more love.”

Elaine is mum to David, 18, Helen’s twin brother, Alan; Mark, 11, and Alexander, eight.

They live in the family home in Cumnock and she volunteers as a teaching assistant at the town’s Barshare Primary and at Park School in Kilmarnock.

And if that’s not enough to keep big-hearted Elaine busy, she is also a church volunteer.

She said: “It’s nice to think that the kids think a lot of me. Like most young folk they can be a handful at times. They get up to the usual things, but they’re good kids.

“It’s difficult sometimes, but I just do what most parents do and get on with it.

“I’m really pleased that Helen entered me into the competition. It’s good to know that my daughter feels that way about me.”

Elaine won a slap-up dinner for six at the Jockey Club restaurant at Ayr Racecourse’s award winning Western House Hotel.

She also won an overnight stay for two at the four star hotel.

Helen added: “I wouldn’t change her for the world.

“I hope I follow in my mum’s footsteps and become a top mum.”