A North Wales housewife isn’t just a best friend to her two sons – she’s quite simply a mum in a million.
Marjorie Wright, 64, of Denbigh Close, Borras Park, in Wrexham, still cares for her eldest son, who sufferers from Asperger’s Syndrome, but, according to her other son, Dan, 29, she always has time for him and her extended family too.
And Marjorie will be celebrating Mother’s Day with a beautiful Pearl of Life silver and pearl pendant, valued at £150, courtesy of Eagles Meadow jeweller F Hinds.
And she’ll be able to treat her boys to a family meal for four worth £100 at Eagles Meadow eaterie Frankie & Bennys before popping next door to Tenpin for a free game of tenpin bowling.
Dan says he spotted the Mum of the Year competition, which is being run in conjunction with Wrexham’s Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, in the Leader and knew he simply had to write in and explain to the judges just why his mum was so special.
He said: “Mum, is an absolute legend. She’s my best friend and all my mates think she is wonderful too. She would do anything for us and never expects anything back in return.
“It hasn’t been easy for her as my elder brother Charles, 31, suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a form of autism.
“Charles is, in fact, pretty clever and even managed to graduate from Chester University with a degree but unfortunately he hasn’t any social skills and suffers from anxiety and stress.
“I’m a support worker and I work coaching carers in varying conditions. But I have to say, even though my brother suffers Asperger’s, I’m still learning about the condition. It has such a broad spectrum.”
Kevin Critchley, Manager of the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre, said: “It’s lovely to celebrate the massive contribution mums everywhere make to all our lives and Marjorie really is a mum in a million.
“She does a fabulous job for her sons and we’re delighted that she has won this gorgeous pendant and the chance for a fun day out with them and a slap up meal too.”
Dan added: “Life wasn’t easy for mum as we grew up. I always knew Charles was different, yet mum always had so much patience and helped him so much. Yet despite all she does for Charles, she never forgets the rest of the family.
“And life was made more difficult when we lost dad eight years ago. They had been married a long time and after he died mum had to take over the budgeting and managing all the financial matters, things like that, stuff dad just did without thinking.
“But she never lost focus, or her sense of humour, and always made sure Charles and me were looked after and had everything we needed.
“I honestly don’t think there can be a mum more deserving of winning the prize. She really is a mum in an absolute million and we would be lost without her.”
Marjorie says she was left speechless when she found Dan had entered her for the Mum of the Year competition.
She said: “I’m so grateful to Dan, it was typical of him. I don’t think I do anything different to millions of mums to be honest.
“It has been difficult sometimes due to Charles’s condition. I don’t think many people really understand just how hard living with an Asperger’s sufferer can be. I always had to ensure Dan wasn’t left out.
“Charles suffers a lot of stress and anxiety and has absolutely no social skills really. He reads a great deal and he loves sci-fi fantasies.
“He also likes to surf the internet and write short stories. Unfortunately, because of his condition, he hasn’t got any friends and has never had a girlfriend. It breaks my heart as I couldn’t survive without friends.
“And, sadly, he has never worked and I doubt he will ever be able to. We have managed to get him some work placements but he needs to have such specific instructions.
“For example, you couldn’t just say ‘put that over there Charles‘. He’d have to know exactly where you wanted it placed and what he should do with it. He would literally have to have every detail clearly spelt out.”
And when Charles decided he wanted a place of his own Marjorie supported him and helped provide the finance to purchase a small property just around the corner from her home.
She said: “I have to think about what would happen to Charles if I wasn’t here. After my husband, John, who was an accountant, died I used some of the insurance money to fund the purchase of a property for Charles.
“It’s just around the corner and I call on him every day to make sure he has got everything he needs. I also sleep there at least twice a week just to keep an eye on him.
“I just do what every mum would do, take care of their kids in the best way possible and Dan and his mates are really good and try to include Charles as much as they can.”
Marjorie is now looking forward to visiting F Hinds in Eagles Meadow to collect the beautiful prize. She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and a bit embarrassed to be honest. It’s typical of Dan to write in and enter me for a competition like that without telling me first.
“And of course I’ll be treating the boys to a family meal at Frankie and Bennys and a game of bowls at Tenpin which are also included in the prizes. My sons are the most important things in my life and I’m sure every mum thinks the same way.
“I’m just so proud and grateful that Dan took the time to write in and enter me into the competition.”
