When HELLO! launched its Search for a Star Mum competition last year, the entries came flooding in. Reading those moving stories of selflessness and sacrifice, sometimes in the face of unimaginable grief and heartache, left us more determined than ever that everyday mothers – so often the unsung heroes of family life – should have their moment in the spotlight.
And so, a year later, the search is back on. In association with retail giant Next, Britain’s best celebrity magazine is now on the hunt for our Star Mum of 2018, who will be honoured at a very special prize-giving lunch at London’s luxurious Dorchester Hotel on 8 March.
Last year's panel had a very emotional time shortlisting the entrants
The star-studded event will be hosted by HELLO! editor in chief Rosie Nixon and BBC newsreader Kate Silverton. The broadcaster was part of the brilliant panel of celebrity mums who helped pick our deserving debut winner, Amie Capron, whom we caught up with last week.
Kate Silverton and Rosie Nixon will host the exciting event
Mum to two-year-old Jenson, who was conceived through IVF after five years of trying for a family, Amie was eight and a half weeks into her pregnancy when her husband Stephen took his own life. Although he left no explanation behind, it is Amie’s belief that Stephen was suffering from some form of depression that he was unable to identify.
MORE: Our favourite celebrity mums talk parenting
Amie (pictured above with Jenson) told us that winning our Search for a Star Mum competition had not only boosted her self-esteem but it had also given her a platform to encourage young people to talk about mental health issues. "Alongside all the lovely congratulations I received, winning the award provoked a lot of conversations about a subject that I feel strongly we need to raise awareness about – which was exactly what I was hoping for," says Amie, 34, who was nominated for the award by her sister Hannah.
On a personal note, she adds: "When you have children, the biggest compliment you can ever receive is, 'You’re a great mum.' So to win this competition meant so much to me." If you would like to nominate someone, details of how to enter – and this year’s panel of celebrity mums helping us find our winner – will feature in HELLO! magazine and online in the coming weeks. Watch this space.
