Guernsey Press

Pride of Guernsey - 'She has selflessly devoted her own life to her children'

'DEDICATED' mum Clare Backlund-Leale selflessly devotes her own life to that of her two boys, one of whom suffered a relapse in his brave battle against leukaemia.

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There is no more dedicated a parent than Clare, according to Zoe Ash, who nominated her for the Parent/s of the Year Award, sponsored by The Christies Group.

From the moment Joseph, now 13, and Ernie, now 10, were born, Zoe said, Clare always put them first.

When Ernie was diagnosed with leukaemia in January 2012, Clare and the boys' lives changed forever.

Ernie began a course of intensive treatment lasting more than three years, much of the first year being spent at Southampton Hospital, and Clare was always by his side. When he went into remission in summer last year, the joy was sadly short-lived because he relapsed in January.

'Clare has spent most of this year in Southampton Hospital trying to juggle, albeit with the support of her family, the almost impossible task of being mum to both Ernie and Joe,' Zoe said.

'For weeks on end, she refused to leave Ernie's side, sleeping in a chair next to his bed on a ward.

'For someone who has been dealt such a cruel blow, you could imagine Clare to be angry and bitter – but she is quite the opposite.

'She rarely complains and is rarely unhappy.

'In fact, their home is the happiest I know.'

Zoe said she was in awe of Clare and that there was no better parent than her.

'She has selflessly devoted her own life to her children.'

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