Barnardo’s drops Mother of the Year Award after 25 years

Children’s charity Barnardo’s has axed its Mother of The Year award after 25 years because it does not celebrate other caregivers like same sex parents and grandparents.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s has axed its Mother of The Year award after 25 years because it does not celebrate other caregivers like same sex parents and grandparents.

In a statement on Monday the organisation said it planned to launch another award which recognised the “diverse” group of caregivers but said the coronavirus pandemic had delayed those plans.

The news was revealed on Ben Fordham’s 2GB radio program on Monday morning.

NSW’s top mum in 2017 Joanne Ford with daughter Jessica.

“Barnardo’s works with children who live with a variety of families – among the families we support are sole parents, same sex couples, families with both a mother and a father figure, relatives caring for the children of family members, and children who are cared for by their grandparents,” it said in a statement.

“This is the wonderful and diverse group of people we work with in caring for children in our communities.

Diana, Princess of Wales visiting Dr Barnardo's Home in Auburn in 1988.

“With this in mind, we believe that the celebration of mothers in the absence of others does not truly represent all the families and care givers we celebrate daily in our contemporary world.”

“We strongly believe in celebrating all families and will be looking to develop a campaign in the future that does this.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed our ability to launch an event in 2021 that celebrates and acknowledges our diverse families and foster carers, however we will continue to plan for this as the year progresses.”