A MOTHER-OF-FOUR from the region who runs a youth club and a gymnastics club for people with disabilities has been shortlisted for the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards.

Gerry Fuller, of Chilton Close, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has been selected from thousands of nominations from across the UK.

The 55-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, in 2009, continued helping gymnastic and athletics clubs, during her treatment.

She first started taking her own children to the classes but now, as a coach, runs classes for able-bodied and disabled youngsters.

Ms Fuller was nominated by her daughter, Brittainy, 20, who said: “Mum started running a class for disabled people and realised just how happy it made her to help others.

“All through her treatment for breast cancer she never once complained or asked for anything. She is an amazing mum.”

Ms Fuller, a Durham University IT help desk supervisor and grandmother-of-four, lives with her partner of 21 years, Ron, and helps run the clubs from Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.

Classes for able-bodied youngsters take place on Saturdays, with disabled classes on Sundays and a youth club on Friday nights.

She said: “When I found out I’d been nominated I just laughed. There are people out there who do lots more than I do, but it’s nice to be nominated, let alone in the finals.”

A panel of celebrities will decide on the winner, who will be treated to a full makeover and her own Tesco magazine photo shoot before being presented with the award at the 2012 ceremony.

Maureen Rice, Tesco magazine editor, said: “We’ve had thousands of amazing nominations this year.

“With so many strong stories, it is difficult to shortlist them, but we certainly felt Gerry deserved to be on the shortlist.”

This year will be the seventh year the awards will take place after last year’s event was won by Karen Upton, 35, of Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, for her work with the Army Benevolent Fund and the Forces Children’s Trust.

She became involved with the organisations following the death of her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton, of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.

He was killed by a Taliban bomb while on patrol in Afghanistan in July 2009.