Mansfield Woodhouse foster carer and volunteer celebrates 59th birthday with award win

Grandmother Yvette Price-Mear, holder of the OLM award (Order of the League of Mercy) discovered at 11pm, on Friday, December 18, the night before her birthday on December 19, that she was one of six winners in the ‘Inspiration Awards for Women.’

Yvette has dedicated her life to helping people working for community causes. After giving up a nursing career due to a painful circulatory complaint and spine curvature, she became a full time volunteer.

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She has worked with numerous organisations and roles, such as Cruse, the Samaritans, British Red Cross, victim support, prison custody suite visitor, helping the disabled, hospital fundraising, patients’ support, and as a humanitarian aid convoy helper to name a few. She runs the Pet Bereavement Support Charity and fosters adults with learning difficulties for the Shared Lives and well known for her Hook-a-Duck fundraising stall.

Yvette was nominated by her lifelong pal Edwin Horne, also 59, of Mansfield Woodhouse. She had previously nominated him and he won the ‘Best Friend of the Year’ award.

The pair met at a Mansfield Woodhouse primary school then known as the Robin Hood Infants.

Yvette, who lives on Burnt Oaks Close, and has two children and three grandchildren, said: “It was the perfect brithday present! Obviously I’m very grateful but somewhat amused!

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"Also awarded were Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson and presenter June Sarpong - and me, a lass from Woodhouse with an ‘O’ Level in needlework!

"My friend Edwin nominated me. We met when we were six at school. Before school I had had Perthes Disease, affecting my legs. I was in the old Harlow Wood orthopaedic hospital for two years.

"Starting school, I was in a wheelchair, the teacher said ‘Yvette’s got poorly legs, who’ll look after her?’ Edwin stood up and he has been looking after me ever since! We are still best friends, he is part of our family.

“When I heard the news, I was chuffed to bits! Another thing that amused me was the photo they used, from the Chad in 2012! I was also asked to share my favourite recipe and I’m the original ‘’can’t cook, WON’T cook’!”