A MOTHER of five who has worked hard to look after her children through various illnesses has been nominated for our Citizen of the Year title.

Margaret Taylor, 61, of Fawcett Close in Blackburn, has been put forward by her daughter Debbie Farrell, for looking after her family and caring for others.

Margaret has cared for Debbie, 37, who has spina-bifada, her eldest brother Jimmy, 39, who has been a severe epileptic since he was eight years old, and her youngest brother Mark, 30, who is asthmatic.

Debbie said: "She has had a lot to cope with especially while we were younger. Many times three of us were in hospital at once, and not all in the same hospital or town.

"Even now my oldest brother is always in hospital, and when I am in she looks after my family, cooking their meals and making sure everything is alright.

"Twelve years ago she had to look after my dad, who had cancer of the throat and bowel and still found time for all her family. After my dad died she became very ill herself with hardening of the arteries which meant she had to have a by-pass operation. She spent six weeks in hospital, three of which were in intensive care."

Up until about three weeks ago Margaret was looking after a neighbour and doing his shopping and paying his bills until he died. Besides her own children she has looked after five other children and most of them come to see her regularly.

Debbie added: "She has six grandchildren all of whom she loves very much and as long as she lives she will always be the mainstay of the family."

Margaret was very surprised to hear that she had been nominated. She said: "I had no idea I'd been nominated. Debbie never mentioned anything, and this is the first I've heard about it. It has been difficult to look after the children but I will always have time for all my family."

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