Tralee Native Hopes To Become ‘Mum In A Million’ With TV3 Competition

Helen Hempenstall is one of the finalists in TV3’s ‘Mum In A Million’ competition.

A TRALEE native has been chosen as one of the finalists in TV3’s ‘Mum In A Million’ competition, with a prize of a trip to Italy up for grabs.

Helen Hempenstall (nee Walsh) is originally from Derrylea, Oakpark here in town, but is now based in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow.

Having been secretly nominated by her daughter Emma, she was completely in shock when she heard the news.

Continued below…

Speaking yesterday at her home in an interview with ‘Ireland AM’ she describes how she found out the news.

“I got a text from my husband asking me to give him a call. He said that Emma had written into a competition with TV3 called ‘Mum In A Million’.”

“I’m still in shock! It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind to be honest with you.”

Helen is certainly deserving of her place in the final after all she’s done over the last few years. When her son Jack was diagnosed with Autism at two-years old, he was accepted into a slot in a ‘Saplings School’ in Kildare.

Continued below…

Knowing the huge help that the school would be to Jack, she had no hesitation in taking the extra steps to ensure he could go attend the school.

“I drove down there [Saplings School] from where we lived for three years, roughly 100 miles a day and waited for five hours every day for him. It was such a wonderful school, and he did so well there that he was capable of going to mainstream at the age of five.”

“I had to give up work, which I didn’t want to do as I love working. I’m was thrilled to do what I had to do for my son.”

Her family and friends have nothing but glowing praise for Helen and are keen to emphasize her kindness and selfless nature.

They’ll be hoping for the kindness of others now in the online voting process.

To see the full interview with Helen click here. All the information you might need to make your vote can be found here!