Grandparent of the Year 2009 (March 09)

Age Concern's Grandparent of the Year 2009 Award in association with Specsavers

Fiona Phillips with Christine Levin and granddaughter Parris Smith

Christine Levin from Falmouth‚ Cornwall‚ has been crowned the UK's best grandparent in Age Concern's Grandparent of the Year Awards.

She was nominated by her granddaughter Parris Sharika Smith who says‚ "My nan has no idea how valued she is and how much I love her. She is a truly beautiful woman who is consistently perfect and never paid the same in return or thanked enough. Her popularity is a reflection of how wonderful she is to be around."

Courtesy of Specsavers‚ Christine will receive:

£3‚000 to spend as she wishes
eyecare vouchers to the value of £750
hearing care vouchers to the value of £2‚000

The finalists

Grandparent of the Year is a celebration of how important grandparents are to family life. It is an annual competition now in its 18th year. It gives grandchildren the chance to say thank you for all the love and support they receive from their grandparents.

The search for Age Concern's Grandparent of the Year 2009 began in October last year. We received hundreds of nominations from hopeful grandchildren telling us about their wonderful grandparents. From the many worthy entries we had the diffficult task of selecting thirteen regional winners and finally choosing our five national finalists.

A red carpet award ceremony

Courtesy of Age Concern in association with Specsavers‚ the national finalists enjoyed an all expenses paid trip to attend the Grandparent of the Year award ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on March 25 2009. The red carpet was rolled out in their honour‚ and the ceremony was hosted by TV Presenter and Age Concern Ambassador Fiona Phillips.

During their stay in London‚ the five finalists were treated to a two night stay at a 4 star London hotel‚ a hosted flight on the British Airways London Eye‚ an escorted tour of the Houses of Parliament‚ including a trip to Madame Tussaud's and London Dungeons‚ and complimentary Big Bus tour tickets.