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The hunt is over to find GMTV's Best Mum in Britain...and the winner is Avril Jackson
The beginning
Avril Jackson was nominated by her proud husband Simon. She is 'mum' to three profoundly disabled young people aged 23, 19, and 12.
They all have severe medical complications and she's devoted her life to their care, providing unconditional love and always putting them first.
The children - Mark, Vicki, and their third child can't do anything for themselves and require 24 hour care.
Family life really began for Avril in 1990. After teaching in special needs schools for many years becoming a permanent foster parent to disabled children seemed like a natural choice.
When she first mentioned what she wanted to do her husband was initially concerned about the level of commitment and the effect it might have on their relationship, however he has never looked back - supporting his wife wholeheartedly.
Mark
They met Mark, the first child they fostered when he was seven. He has Cerebral Palsy and severe learning difficulties and a chronic gastro-intestinal condition. Marks natural mother loves him very much but couldn't care for him.
Social services had deemed him un-fosterable and it took a determined Avril a year to change their minds.
Mark is now 23 and she's enjoyed every second of bringing him. In fact she loved caring for him so much she decided to foster another youngster.
Vicki
Once again it took a year to convince social services that her heart was big enough for two disabled children, but when Simon gave up his teaching job to support his wife, Vicki joined their family in 1998 aged 12, and she is now 19.
Vicki has Microcephalus Cerebral Palsy, learning difficulties and epilepsy. Since moving into Avril's household she has smiled her way through five lots of major surgery.
The latest addition is 12 year old girl who moved in three years ago and has similar impairments to Vicki.
Excited and thrilled
Simon says his wife's dedication is remarkable and although he helps, he says without his wife's positive outlook, the children would never be the people that they are today.
On learning she was the winner she said: "I am terribly excited and very thrilled and would like to thank everyone who voted for me."
Avril's prize is for 14 nights courtesy of Direct Holidays staying at the 5 star Hotel Iberostar Costa Dorada in Playa Dorada courtesy of Direct Holidays
