We're in the money, say delighted mums

May 16 2008 By Neil Elkes

TWO Birmingham mums have had their budget worries eased after winning the Mail's Cut the Cost competition.

Widow Carmella Smith scooped a mortgage-free month after winning Wednesday night's competition, and Clare Mitchell is celebrating winning yesterday's prize of a gas bill paid for a year.

With mortgage interest rates creeping up and fuel bills on the rise, both admit making ends meet has been a struggle.

For grandmother Carmella, of Nutbush Drive, Northfield, the win heralds a change of fortune.

Carmella was left to raise her three children, Lara, now 30, Ken, 27, and Richard, 22, when husband Keith died 12 years ago.

Since then the oldest two have left home and she has five "lovely" grandchildren. As if that does not keep her busy enough, for the last eight years Carmella has been a teaching assistant at Bartley Green School, working mainly with special needs pupils.

Carmella said: "I've been entering the Cut The Cost competitions for the last few days. I hoped to win, but did not believe I would. It was a great surprise. I feel like I have had a bit of luck for a change.

"This will certainly make things easier for me."

Clare, who lives in Blenheim Way, Castle Vale, could barely contain her excitement at winning her gas bill for a year. "It's smashing. Fantastic. I have never won anything before and this will be a big help," she said.

Her bills are "fairly high" with two teenagers, Linda, aged 17, and Thomas, 16, sharing the heating and cooking demands.

Clare said: "Our last bill was about £150 for the three months, so this makes a big difference - especially as the bills keep rising."