A record number of 4,000 nominations were received by Tesco magazine and through the magazine's website. This year nine winners were chosen across a number of categories by a panel of judges including the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown, who is patron of the awards.

Sabina Iqbal is deaf and has two hearing children; she has long felt that deaf parents are isolated by a lack of support, especially new parents. As a result Sabina has dedicated her time to providing information and support networks for families affected by deafness and deaf parents of hearing children.

In 2001 Sabina founded Deaf Parenting UK, the first ever charity run by deaf parents for deaf parents. Her work for this fantastic cause has included; creating an informative video to inform deaf parents of their rights, creating and raising the profile of new website www.deafparent.org.uk, giving presentations and talks to parents in need of advice and arranging family days where people can meet others in a similar situation to themselves.

Sabina has also written a book called ‘Pregnancy and Birth: A Guide for Deaf Women’, the first of its kind in the UK, following anecdotes of deaf women who had encountered difficulties while being in hospital giving birth.

Sabina is dedicated to providing support for deaf parents and as a result has been recognised within the UK and internationally through the success of her projects.

The Tesco magazine Mum of the Year Awards took place on 28 February at The Waldorf Hilton in London. Other guests included Eastenders' actresses Patsy Palmer, Lucy Benjamin, Jo Joyner and Jessica Wallace, Emmerdale star Linda Lusardi, Linda Robson from Birds of a Feather and Bruno Tonioli of Strictly Come Dancing. Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah also attended.

Entertainment was provided by singer Gabriella Cilmi and Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri.

Sabina attended a special meeting with Sarah Brown at Number 10 the following morning, with other mums including Tana Ramsay – celebrity mum of the year, (wife of Gordon Ramsay) to celebrate their fantastic achievements.

Her interview in Tesco magazine can be read here, or pick up a copy from your local store.