A MUM of a disabled son who lost her husband to a brain tumour has won our Gwent’s Best Mum competition.

Mothers from across the region were nominated for the South Wales Argus competition to celebrate Mother’s Day

But the panel of judges, including the South Wales Argus' editor, named Nahella Hard the winner.

The mum of two was nominated by her teenage daughter Reagan Hard who said they had endured some extremely difficult times as a family, but together they have pulled through.

In November 2011 Reagan’s brother Casey was born.

But their happiness was shattered eight days later by the news that her dad, Anthony, had a brain tumour.

Shortly after, the family also found out Casey had suffered brain damage due to a lack of oxygen and blood supply at birth.

Now five, Casey is blind and suffers from spastic quadriplegia, cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, among other health issues.

In September 2015, the RAF veteran died.

Corporal Hard, who served as an aircraft engineer in Afghanistan in 2011, lost his long battle with a brain tumour at the age of just 35.

Thirteen-year-old Reagan said her mum had remained “her rock”.

When Mrs Hard found out she had won she said: “I’m over the moon, I can’t believe it.

“To appreciate me even though everything she has gone and is going through is amazing.

"I’m extremely proud of Reagan, I’m so very lucky.”

The prize is a champagne afternoon tea for four people at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort.

They will enjoy a glass of bubbly on arrival before tucking in to a feast of finger sandwiches, delicious hand-made cakes and tarts, and freshly baked raisin scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, all accompanied by a selection of speciality teas or coffee.

Our runner-up was Shamim Abbas from Newport.

She has won a voucher for an anti-stress back, neck and shoulder massage at the Health and Serenity Spa on Clytha Park Road in Newport.

Focusing on accumulated tension in the neck, Back & Shoulders, the massage soothes irritated nerves and muscles and improves restless sleep and circulation as well as de-stressing.

Mrs Abbas’ daughter Rukhsar nominated her because of the hard work she does as a mum, foster mother and grandmother.

Miss Abbas said: “She is strong, selfless and most importantly such a hard worker that continues to inspire all around her.”

“My mum is not only an inspiration to me and my family, but to our whole Pakistani community as she shows time and time again that cultural barriers can be broken.

“She advocated that my sister and I get a university degree, which we couldn’t have accomplished without her.”

Mrs Abbas fosters two children and works two jobs, one as a support worker in St Woolos Primary School in Newport and a ward hostess at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Although she works long days she loves her work and enjoys the variety they offer.

She said about her nomination: “I was shocked and surprised, it’s a big surprise.

"I couldn’t get over the shock when she told me. I’m very close to my daughter, we are more friends than mother and daughter.”

Third was Lisa Bailey from Ebbw Vale.

She was nominated as the best mum in Gwent by her 14-year-old Alicia who suffers from Nager Syndrome.

The condition is so rare that only nine people in the UK suffer from it and there are just 300 documented cases in the world.

The condition affects the bones and tissues in the face. It also affects the arms and hands, and in some cases affects the legs and feet too.

Miss Bailey said: “We have never been apart, I have stayed with her from the day she was born.

"I stayed with her in the hospital for three months while she was in the special care unit.

"I had to tube feed her every hour on the hour for a year.”

Alicia’s condition has meant she has spent a lot of time at the Morriston Hospital and her mother has supported her throughout.

She said: “My mum is always there for me for my operations.

"So far I have had 19 surgeries and I have got more to come.

"Without my mum, I won’t be here today.

"I’m always by her side and she’s by mine supporting me through operations.

"She is amazing and the best mum anyone could have.”

She will receive a bouquet of flowers and champagne.

Ms Garnon said: “It was really difficult choosing a winner but it was great to see that so many mums out there are appreciated by their families and loved ones.”