There's No Handbook In A Situation Like This

When Kelly’s mum died, her sister-in-law Carol opened her arms and her home.

- Natalee Fuhrmann

For as long as she can remember, Kelly Haywood has felt loved, nurtured and protected by Carol Edmunds.

So when she spotted a TV commercial calling for nominations for the Barnardos Mother of the Year Awards, it seemed a no brainer for 38-year-old Kelly to put forward the woman to whom she owes so much.

Tasmania-based Carol is the wife of Kelly’s half-brother – but heartbreaking circumstances led her to take on the role of Kelly’s mother in the mid-1980s. Now, 30 years later, she’s been crowned the 2017 Barnardos Australian Mother of the Year.

“Our situation is unique and we are extremely flattered that our story stood out amongst all the others,” beams Kelly, a Lieutenant Commander in the Australian Navy.