A mother with a "heart of gold" has been nominated for Croydon Champion’s parent of the year award for her exceptional commitment to her children.

Mum-of-five Sharon Andrews, a former carer, gave up her job to be a full time mum to her son Aaron, who suffers from Down Syndrome.

Last September, the 25-year-old broke his hip bone after falling indoors. He was admitted to Croydon University Hospital where doctors told Miss Andrews he had suffered a rare break and would need an operation.

Miss Andrews stayed in hospital with Aaron all day, every day for his two week hospital stay because she "wouldn't feel right leaving him."

The break left Aaron bedridden and he now requires constant care from his mum who stays with him at all time.

But the 48-year-old who lives in Chaucer Green, Ashburton, said: "I am just doing what any mother would do for their child."

Miss Andrews was nominated for the parent of the year award by her sister Elizabeth Hollands, who said she works tirelessly as a mother while overcoming trials including having a stillborn child and getting divorced.

Mrs Hollands said: "She is so down to earth, and she just has faith in everybody. She still makes time to help other people even though she looks after Aaron 24/7, she is just a genuinely nice person.

"You see she always thinks of everyone else before herself, she is just unbelievable."

Miss Andrews said she was shocked to be nominated for the award.

She said: "I am just gob smacked, speechless. I am lost for words which is very unlike me. I can’t believe I have been nominated because to be honest I don’t think I am do anything that is out of the ordinary, I am just being a mum."