THE mum of a little girl battling leukaemia has been nominated for a national award.

Noreen Siddiqui, 48, whose daughter nine-year-old Ayesha is waiting for a life-saving bone marrow transplant, has been shortlisted for Tesco's Mum of the Year.

Noreen was praised for helping recruit 1000 new donors for the Anthony Nolan Trust and raising more than £170,000 for the charity - more than any other individual.

She was selected from thousands of nominations sent in from all over the UK after being nominated by her sister Alyia. Two years ago Noreen, from Newton Mearns, discovered that her adopted daughter Ayesha had an acute form of leukaemia - Philadelphia Positive. Despite more than 3000 samples from potential donors, none has been a match.

As the young girl is half Caucasian and half Middle Eastern, her chances of finding a match are considerably reduced.

Noreen has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the lack of donors, particularly within ethnic minorities, and helped ensure the issue of the shortage of bone marrow transplant donors was debated in the Scottish Parliament.

Apart from her work with Anthony Nolan she has also founded her own Ayesha Bone Marrow Appeal.

Noreen said: "I was shocked.

"When you look at the calibre of the people who have been nominated, we are just ordinary mums who are coping with something terrible the best we can.

"I hope it helps raise awareness about bone marrow donation and the Anthony Nolan Trust."

This will be the ninth year of the glamorous red carpet ceremony, which celebrates inspirational mums from all over the UK, who have made a difference to the lives of others.

Judging is now taking place and all shortlisted mums will be considered by the panel, which includes DJ Sara Cox, TV personality Gaby Logan and sports presenter Denise Lewis.

If Noreen is selected by the judges to be one of the winning mums, she will be treated to a full makeover and her own Tesco Living magazine photo shoot, before being presented with her award in front of friends, family and celebrity guests.

Debbie Chernin, Tesco Mum of the Year Project Manger, said: "We are extremely proud to be holding the Tesco Mum of the Year Awards for the ninth year.

"We have heard many truly incredible stories and it's been a privilege to recognise these inspirational women."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk