Meet the four women who have inspired us with their heartwarming stories of gritty determination against the odds. They were chosen from nearly 350 entries which flooded in to our Mum in a Million competition.

While many of the mums nominated caught the attention of our judges – Leicester Mercury acting editor Keith Perch, Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Manjula Sood and reporter Jenny Ousbey – four have been singled out for recognition.

Councillor Sood said many of the nominees had overcome challenges in their lives to become role models for society.

Mr Perch, said: "We were overwhelmed by the stories that poured in. Thank-you to everybody who entered and I wish mums a happy Mother's Day."

Winner of the house cleaning prize: Nicky Waldrom

Single mum Nicky Waldrom has had more than her fair share of bad luck over the past few years, so winning the prize of free house cleaning for a year has really put a smile on her face.

The 35-year-old, of Glen Parva, has daughters, Tia, 12, and Lana, nine, to thank for her success. They nominated Nicky for a Mum in a Million award because they wanted to tell her how proud they were of her for coping so well with the serious illnesses they are battling.

Tia has chronic asthma and has to take a lot of time off school. She has fought the condition since she was three, but suffered particularly badly when she was nine. She had a string of seven major attacks, and three of those were so serious her mum feared she would die.

Lana was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January, which resulted in her losing the sight in her left eye. It is likely she will have to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy to get rid of the rest of the tumour.

On top of all that, the girls said, the family's household appliances keep breaking down.

In their nomination, the girls wrote: "Mummy is so brave with all that is going on and it would be lovely to see her face light up if she won something, because everything is going wrong now."

Nicky, who gave up work to look after her girls, said her parents were a massive help to her, especially mum, Marie, who has a chronic lung illness. Nicky said: "It's such a lovely prize. They are really good kids and I'm so surprised they've done something like this for me.

"My girls have been really brave, I'm so proud of them.

"My finances have dropped and everything at home keeps breaking down. Things have not been going so well."

Tia, whose birthday is today , said: "My mummy has got to go through a lot with me and my sister. She doesn't have good times and she always has to clean when she gets home from the hospital.

Leicester Mercury acting editor Keith Perch said: "Nicky has stayed strong for her brave daughters and she deserves a little help around the home."

A year's cleaning has been provided by Molly Maid.

Winner of the ironing prize: Farhat Anwar

Farhat Anwar will be enjoying a double celebration today.

As well as watching one of her three children marry, she will know she has what it takes to be named a Mum in a Million.

Farhat was nominated for the award by her younger son, Qashif.

He wrote: "Throughout her life, she has always been so near and has cultivated and guided me into the professional young man I am today."

Farhat, 50, came to Leicester from a rural village in Pakistan in the 1950s. As a child she was diagnosed with arthritis which has become progressively worse over the years, and now daily household tasks are a struggle for her.

When she was 18 she married Mohammed, now 57. The couple had three children, daughter Zilley Khan, 30, and son Saqib, 25, who are both doctors, and Qashif, 22, who is a medical student.

Today, the Evington family will be rejoicing as Saqib marries Henna Rana, 25, at a ceremony in the city.

After being told his mum was one of the winners, Qashif said: "My mum has had two knee replacements and she finds the housework difficult.

"My dad took early retirement to help her out and I'm grateful to both of them.

"She deserves this prize more than anyone."

Farhat, who also has two grandchildren, said: "This is a complete surprise, I feel very happy and excited about it. At the moment, it seems like everything good is coming into the house.

"I'm really delighted, thank you so much for this prize.

"I try to keep myself mobile all of the time, but some days it is very hard for me.

"I have brought up my children to be honest and nice to other people and thankfully they have been successful.

"They have seen how much I have suffered and that has made them want to help those in pain."

Leicester Mercury acting editor Keith Perch said: "Farhat has a wonderful family who appreciate everything she has done for them, despite her physical limitations."

Farhat wins a year's free fortnightly ironing service from Crease Control.

Winner of the car valeting prize: Sharon Bateman

This mum is determined her son should pursue his dreams, despite both of them battling the same disease.

Sharon Bateman and 12-year-old Jhon have osteogenesis imperfecta – brittle bone disease – which means a minor fall could put them in hospital.

Despite the physical limitations the hereditary condition brings, both are focused on making a difference in the world, and have spoken out on disability issues.

Jhon and his dad, Steve, 48, nominated Sharon, of Coalville, for the Mum in a Million prize of free car valeting for a year by Autosheen.

Sharon, 39 said she was delighted to be named a Mum in a Million.

She said: "I was surprised to hear I'd won because I always believed prizes went to other people and never to me because I don't consider myself as being worthy.

"I'm just a mum trying to do the best I can for my son. Thank you for picking me."

Jhon said: "When I was younger, mum was very upset she had given me the disability, even though it was something she couldn't have avoided.

"She is so supportive, even if she is in pain. She really does try to do everything she can.

"I think she's a great mum."

Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Manjula Sood, said: "She is a great woman who, against all odds, has determination and courage to make life better for others by her care and help."

Winner of the spa break prize: Ruby Underwood

Ruby Underwood could not help but shed a tear when she was told she had been chosen as a Mum in a Million.

The mum-of-seven was nominated by daughter, Sharon Bools, who said that without her mum she "would be lost".

When Sharon fell pregnant as a teenager, Ruby gave her all the support she needed.

Over the following years, Ruby battled a series of health problems, made worse five years ago when she suffered a heart attack.

Then, last year, she lost everything, including all of her family keepsakes, when her bungalow flooded.

When Sharon saw our Mum in a Million competition she nominated Ruby because, despite everything she has been through, she has always been there for her family.

Sharon, 39, of New Parks, Leicester, said: "My mum was 100 per cent behind me when I gave birth at 17. She never judged me, she just helped.

"She was an active person, but the heart attack slowed her down.

"When the house flooded she was inconsolable. I thought she was going to have another attack that night."

When Ruby was told she had won a trip for two to Ragdale Hall spa, near Melton, the 74-year-old great-grandmother said: "Nothing like this has ever happened to me before, I'm completely shocked.

"It makes me so proud to know Sharon has brought up her two kids from such a difficult start. She has been good to me and all I've ever wanted to do is support her and let her make her own way in life."

Ruby, who also lives in New Parks, said: "My mum died when I was in my 20s, but she always told me to be honest and to treat others as you would like to be treated."

Ruby now has 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, and is looking forward to Sharon's wedding to David Reid, 41, later this year.

Reporter Jenny Ousbey said: "Ruby deserved this prize. She has been through a lot in the past few years and helped her daughter through a really difficult time."