DJ People of the Year awards - Family is '˜everything'

This group of wonder women are caring for four brothers and three sisters between them and ensuring that the children grow up knowing each other and are involved in each other’s lives as much as possible.

Geraldine is caring for Clionagh, aged 14, and Chanice, aged eight. She also fosters young babies who stay with her for respite.

Hazel is caring for Cillian, aged 11, and frequently has Conlith who is aged 16, over to stay so he can spend time with his brother. Lorna is caring for six year old Clariagh while working full time.

Jacinta is caring for two of the younger brothers, Kieron, aged 5, and Connor, aged two, as well as holding down a part time job.

The actual logistics of scheduling and timetabling their busy and often hectic lifestyles around family contact is no easy task, but with dedication and a lot of organisation, the ladies have been able to do just that. They have to juggle their day to day life with school runs, appointments, after school clubs and work but also ensure there is family time for the children to see each other.

Their sheer perseverance and stamina stems from the love they have for their family.