MUM of the Year 2013 is Leah Edmison of Galashiels.
The 41-year-old of Coopersknowe was nominated by her older son Greg in the Southern Reporter competition.
And on Tuesday, about to enjoy her prize of a pampering session at Beauty Secrets in Hawick, Leah said: “I’m still in a state of shock! It’s so nice, I didn’t expect it. Greg is a good laddie, he’s got a good heart. I’m just touched, it’s really, really nice.”
The mother-of-two said: “I don’t know what makes a good mum, but I think anyone would do what they could for their kids.”
She has Greg, 25, who is in a partnership with Melissa Baird and the couple have Leah’s adored granddaughter, Rhiana.
And Leah has Nathan, 15, who has had a tough time in his short life.
In his nomination, Greg said: “I think my mum deserves this as she is not only very loving and caring, she has been my brother’s rock.
“She has shown tremendous courage and strength and has been there for him 110 per cent. She is also very good to me.
“She gives up most of her time for everyone else.
“When she’s not working, she’s always doing something, whether it’s babysitting, taking my gran shopping, running me and my brother about, she just never takes any time to stop for herself and I think she genuinely deserves a wee treat. This would be just great.”
Leah is close to her own mum, Linda and her father Bill, who is battling ill health: “I help them as much as I can. It’s just nice being able to help your family out.”
Leah dotes on her five-year-old granddaughter, saying: “She’s adorable.”
Rhiana often stays over with her grandmother and Leah and her partner Kevin Casson enjoy taking the little girl to riding lessons and other entertainment.
Leah says her perfect Mother’s Day would be having her sons and granddaughter with her. And that’s what’s happening on Sunday, for Leah, Kevin, the boys, Melissa and Rhiana will celebrate at Baxters in Selkirk, after Rhiana has a sleepover at Granny’s on Saturday night.
Beauty Secrets owner Leanda Jones presented Leah with her Mum of the Year certificate and a bouquet of flowers before Tuesday’s session.
Winning second place and a high tea for six at Baxters in Selkirk was Janette McRae from Hawick, who was nominated by her eight-year-old daughter Holly, who told us: “Mum’s always there. Mum never complains, we love her lots.” Also nominated by her daughter, Morghan, Shaneen Pierson from Galashiels was third, winning a bouquet of flowers from Flower Expressions in Selkirk.