Patsy Drysdale from Stranraer has been crowned the UK’s best grandparent in the 2008 Age Concern Grandparent of the Year Awards in association with Specsavers. 

The annual competition, now in its 17th year, is a celebration of how important grandparents are to family life. It gives grandchildren the chance to say thank you for all the love and support they receive from their grandparents. 

Patsy was short-listed for the national award from hundreds of entries, along with four other national finalists from across the UK: Jean Daffin from Somerset, James and Elizabeth Dorrien from County Downs, Iris Harris from Barnet and Harry Jackson from Merseyside.

Patsy was nominated by her granddaughter Gina, aged 13, to thank her gran for taking her in when it looked she was going to have to go in to care, following the death of her mother. Patsy has supported Gina through some difficult times and Gina has been there when her grandmother needed her, nursing her after a cancerous tumour was removed from her lungs.

Patsy has won £3,000 to spend as she wishes, plus free eye and hearing care for the next ten years, eye care vouchers to the value of £750 and hearing vouchers to the value of £2,000, courtesy of Specsavers.

Age Concern rolled out the red carpet for all the 2008 finalists in London, including an official awards ceremony at the House of Commons today (March 13), hosted by GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips.

Whilst in London, the families also enjoyed an overnight stay at a central London hotel, an escorted tour of the Houses of Parliament, complementary Big Bus sightseeing tickets and a VIP flight on the British Airways London Eye.

Winner Patsy said: ‘I can't believe I've won. Just making it this far from Gina's application has been incredible. I always thought that winning would be a bonus but now that I have actually won, it's just incredible, I love my grandchildren so much and would do anything for them.'

Granddaughter Gina said: ‘The reason I nominated my gran is because she is the most special person I know.  When my mum died five years ago she took my brother, sister and me in. Given that my grandad was disabled she didn't have to do that but that’s just the sort of person she is.’

Pensions Minister, Mike O'Brien, who attended this year’s award to congratulate all of the finalists, said: ‘Older people contribute so much to our society as carers, volunteers, workers and as grandparents. Today I want to congratulate the winners of these awards. They are an inspiration to us all. Their stories prompt us to say thank you to the UK's 13 million grandparents, quietly supporting families across the country every day.’

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern England, said: ‘It has been a delight to hear the amazing stories of grandparents who are helping to support their families. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our winner Patsy and to our runners- up, Jean, James and Elizabeth, Iris and Harry.’

Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers, said: ‘We were delighted to have this opportunity to support Age Concern and the Grandparent of the Year awards. The stories we heard were all so inspiring and heartfelt. Congratulations to all of the finalists and of course to Patsy. Your stories are truly an inspiration to us all.’ 

www.ageconcern.org.uk 13th March 2008