There really is no stopping Jean Blackwell.

Just six years ago at the age of 60 she started a new career as a care assistant.

Last year the Wivenhoe woman cycled miles across the burning terrain of Morocco, raising £3,000 for charity in the process.

Now she has been shortlisted from hundreds of women across the UK for the final stages of the Avon In Praise of Women Awards 2000.

One of the main reasons she has been chosen along with 25 other finalists is the help she gives to needy elderly people in her home town.

She runs her own one-woman agency, and admits that if she charges them for her services it is often just for her own pocket money.

"It keeps me very busy. There are a lot of needy people out there. I like it and am always being asked by the family why can't I say no," she says.

Mrs Blackwell, 66, of Victoria Close, enjoyed working as a care assistant but other commitments meant she had to tear herself away and help her son run the Black Buoy pub.

Her daughter Jacqueline Howells nominated Mrs Blackwell for the award.

Nomainated for award - Jean Blackwell

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