Joy, pride and tears; EMOTIONAL SCENES AS MUMS OF THE YEAR ARE HONOURED AT SPECIAL CHRONICLE EVENT.

Byline: By LIZ WALKER

WIPING away a tear of joy, Kellie Skeoch is crowned our Mum of the Year.

Kellie was one of eight inspirational women picked from over 500 mums as a finalist in the 2007 awards.

She was just 18 when her life changed for ever when daughter Caitlyn was born with a rare genetic disorder.

Kellie had to grow up fast, giving up nights out with her friends to care for her daughter, now 16 months, who was born with only part of her heart, is partially sighted and has breathing problems.

Kellie was nominated by her mum Rita who says she was transformed from a difficult teenager into a supermum.

Brimming with pride Rita, 44, said: "Kellie doesn't think she has done anything special, but what she has done for Caitlyn, is amazing.

"She spent the first eight months of her life in hospital and now needs 24 hour care.

"Her other friends are going out and having fun but Kellie spends her time caring for Caitlyn, taking her for hospital appointments up to three times a week and doing her housework.

"She has gone from a difficult teenager who didn't have a care in the world to a supermum. All she cares about is her little princess."

But Kellie took time off to be honoured at the glamorous awards final at Jesmond Dene House Hotel in Newcastle yesterday.

And she can't wait to take up her prize and jet off to New York for a well deserved break where she will have pounds 400 cash to splash out in the shops.

Kellie, now 20, who lives in Penine Avenue, Chester-le-Street with fiancee Tony Jackson, said: "I couldn't believe it. I am so excited about going to New York I haven't had a holiday or a real break for years."

Each mum at the awards had their own heartbreaking and heartwarming tale to tell - but the judges had to pick just one winner and it was the devotion that Kellie has shown to Caitlyn that made her stand out from the rest.

BBC Look North presenter, Carol Malia, was one of the judges and compere for the event.

She said: "When I was Kellie's age my biggest stress was what I was going to where on a Friday night. But for Kellie it is a different story. Others would have walked away but she has shown amazing maturity and unconditional love.

"All the mums in this room deserve to be here and to hear their stories is very humbling and it puts our lives in perspective."

Determined Lynn Sage will also be able to go on a well earned spending spree after she was presented with her second place prize of pounds 250 shopping vouchers.

When her daughter Debbie, 26, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy doctors told her she may not survive more than a few months, but Lynn has fought every step of the way to give her daughter the quality of life she deserves.

Despite having Rheumatoid Arthritis and needing crutches to walk she makes sure Debbie has a full and active life from swimming and trampolin-ing to going to the pub or hitting the dance floor.

Lynn, of Walker, Newcastle said: "The whole day has been very emotional. It has brought everything back about what the family has been through.

"I have the view that Debbie has every right to do what she likes and go where she likes and do whatever able-bodied people do, but it has been a fight.

"I couldn't have cared for her without the help of my other daughters, they are fantastic."

A woman who inspired dozens of her work colleagues at the National grid in Longbenton to nominate her for Mum of the Year was the judges' choice for third place.

Caroline Watters has never left her daughter's side through her battle with an eating disorder which almost cost her her life.

Following jibes from a school bully Holly, 17, plunged from 13 stone to under five and had to spend weeks in hospital.

Holly said: "Some mums wouldn't have understood but my mum never judged, she has just been there for me."

Caroline, who lives in Cramlington with husband Mick and has three other children, Scott, 24, Jan, 22, and Jamie, 16, and a grandson Harvey, two, said: "I don't think I have done anything any other mother would have done. I couldn't have got through this though without my husband, he has been fantastic and deserves an award too. I was also very moved that my colleagues took the time to nominate me."

The remaining five finalists in the competition, sponsored by Tyneside bakers, Greggs, were Patricia Barker, of Washington, Amanda Bland, of Wallsend, Jean Bryant, of Hexham, Angela Dawson, of Wallsend, and Gwen Par-nell, of North Shields. They received certificates and a bottle of champagne.

Chronicle editor Paul Robertson said: "Everyone here today is a winner and I hope it has made them feel special, because that is what they deserve."

Thanks to sponsors Greggs, Fenwick for the hampers, Lovely Bubbly for the champagne, North Grange Glass for the trophies and Jesmond Dene House Hotel.

CAPTION(S):

WELL DONE: Runner up Caroline Watters of Cramlington and judge Carol Malia get together; INSPIRATIONAL: Runner up Lynn Sage of Walker with competition judge Carol Malia, and right, Kellie proudly holds her trophy aloft; SUPER: Kellie Skeoch is comforted as she wipes a tear away PICTURES: LEANNE HOLCROFT www.icNewcastle.co.uk/buyaphoto ref: 01143643; EVERYONE A WINNER : Kellie Skeoch, left, and her mum Rita, and daughter Caitlyn, and from left to right, Amanda Bland, Gwen Parnell, Lynn Sage, Kellie, Caroline Watters, Patricia Barker and Angela Dawson