A CWMBRAN mum has been shortlisted as a finalist in a competition to find Britain’s most inspiring parent.

Sandy Bridges, 51, from Llantarnam, has been selected after Olympian Sir Chris Hoy launched the search for the country’s most inspirational parent in October. This week she was announced as one of the three finalists.

Highland Spring Parentspiration campaign aims to recognise parents and guardians who have gone above and beyond in helping their children achieve their dreams or overcome challenges. Chris Hoy himself has often credited the support of his dad with playing a key role in his career.

Mrs Bridges was nominated by her son Zach, 13, after she encouraged him to find a sport he loved and enjoyed.

She explained that Zach took up cycling because he suffered pain in his Achilles tendon and she researched sports that wouldn’t further injure his tendon.

In 2011 he tried cycling at Newport Velodrome and she said that he loved it. Zach was then inspired to compete after watching the GB Olympic team training at the circuit.

Now his mum juggles every spare minute making sure he gets to practices and events and training camps across the country.

In his first competitive season of racing in 2013, he won a bronze medal at the UK National Track Omnium Championships in Manchester, became Welsh National Criterium Champion and won one of the UK National Youth Circuit races in August at Castle Combe.

In his nomination, Zach wrote: “Mum takes me all over the country competing and it’s great going away. She’s a believer in children finding what they’re good at, not a parent doing what the parent wants. She says it’s what her dad did with her because she was sporty as a child.”

This year, his first in the U14 category, Zach came seventh overall on the Isle of Man three day tour series as well as having other successes, which included a fourth in the sea front time trial, qualified for the UK National track omnium championship finals and has just been invited on to the first rung of British Cycling’s Olympic Pathway. programme as an apprentice.

Mrs Bridges added: “It is lovely to be nominated but it is just what parents do so that their children can pursue a sport and I am very proud of him and get joy from watching him enjoying the sport.”

To read Zach’s and the other shortlisted entries and to vote visit www.highlandspring.com/parentspiration