A MOTHER who brought up her children single handed after twice being widowed is SAM's Mum in a Million.

Caring Sale mum Norma Clarke's years of devotion have earned her a prize of a fabulous week-long spring holiday in the HSA Mum in a Million competition.

Norma was left to raise her six children on her own after her husband, William, died of a heart attack 23 years ago.

She ensured her children never missed out on any treats, despite having to make ends meet on state benefits.

A couple of years after William's death she got married again, to Leslie Clarke, and the couple had a son, Henry.

But heartache struck a second time when Leslie died of heart disease, when Henry was 12 - leaving Norma, of Thirsk Avenue, Sale, on her own again.

Norma was nominated for the competition by her daughter Andrea, who says: "I think she deserves a little happiness in her life."

Andrea adds: "My mum had to bring up six children on her own on state benefits.

"But she made sure we went on every school trip, and had a pretty dress for every party we were invited to. She did without so we could have everything we needed."

Norma again coped on her own after Leslie's death - as well as still supporting her children who had by then left home and had their own youngsters.

Andrea adds: "She still helped us by making sure our children didn't go without. She now lives on widows' pension and is constantly there in our hours of need - always being there for all of her children and grandchildren."

Norma, 56, who has 13 grandchildren and will become a great grandmother in March, was taken aback by her success. She says: "I am flabbergasted. I had no idea Andrea had nominated me. She never said a thing about it."

As well as her prize of a break at the beautiful Haven Holidays park at Hafan y Mor in Wales, she is also in the running for the regional prize - another Haven holiday for six at the British park of their choice.

National winners will be selected from the regional champions, with a prize of a family holiday at any of five Haven Europe parks in France.

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