A 45-year-old disabled grandmother was “screaming with joy”
after being told she had won a holiday of a lifetime in a Daily Echobacked competition.
After weeks of voting and interviews Isobel Butler, of Weston, Southampton, has won the accolade of The Coast – Great Citizen Award 2009.
She was nominated for her tireless work helping to rescue women from domestic violence.
Mother-of-four Isobel said: “I am in shock. I never expected to be nominated let alone win.
“I was screaming with joy when I heard and now I’m just over the moon.
“Everything looks exciting, I’m looking forward to seeing new places, the scenery, the boat, everything. I’d like to thank everyone involved and the Echo readers who voted for me.”
Isobel grew up surrounded by tragedy losing several members of her family in the troubles in Northern Ireland.
However, she refused to let these things hold her back and dedicated her life to helping others, volunteering with Women’s Aid for three years and then working at the charity for another seven.
During that time she ran a support group for women in the community and regularly met abuse victims in the park, in toilets and in changing rooms – anywhere they could talk in private.
However, her proudest achievement is giving her four daughters the happy childhood she missed out on.
It was her daughter Coleen O’Neill who nominated her for a taste of the millionaire lifestyle hailing her “an inspiration.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel