JO HAYWOOD talks to two York mums who got more than they bargained for on Mother's Day.

MOST mums get a card on Mother's Day. Some might even receive a bunch of daffs or a box of chocolates. But Joyce Coyle went one better - she got free hairdressing for a year and more haircare products than she could carry.

Joyce, a sprightly 76-year-old from Clementhorpe, was shocked and delighted to be told by her daughter Sue Coyle-Robinson that she had won our Mother's Day competition and could now look forward to a year of pampering at Evolve in Scarcroft Road.

"I'm really looking forward to having my hair done," she said. "I haven't been into Evolve before because it looks a bit swish, but I'm sure it's lovely."

Life is looking up for Joyce now, but things were very different a few months ago. Her troubles started when her hip dislocated - six times.

"I didn't fall or anything, my hip just kept popping out and I kept having to go to hospital," she said. "At first the doctors said they couldn't do anything, then they decided they could operate and I ended up in this great big body brace.

"It was dreadful. I had to wear it all the time; I even slept in it. It was terrible but I had no choice but to get on with it."

She couldn't wear any of her own clothes because the brace was too bulky, but, determined to live as normal a life as possible, she bought larger, elasticated clothes and ventured out as much as she could.

"I thought I would have to wear the brace for ever," said Joyce. "But then in January the doctor said he would operate again. I don't know exactly what he did, but at the end of it he said I had two good hips again."

Her daughter Sue, of Brandon Grove, Hopgrove, nominated her mother for the competition because of her indomitable spirit.

"I honestly don't think anyone without her spirit could have tolerated what she's been through," she said. "She's such a positive, motivated person. She's been on her own for the best part of 20 years since my dad died, but she's always a trouper."

Joyce now goes to physiotherapy once a week. It's hard work, but she meets the challenge with her usual verve: "You have to do everything you can to get better, don't you?"

Sue believes a year of pampering is just what the doctor ordered for her mum, especially as Evolve is just around the corner.

"It's just a hop, skip and a jump away," she said. "And now she's out of that brace, she can just about manage that."

Sallie Whitson, of The Village in Stockton-on-the-Forest, was also hopping, skipping and jumping for joy on Sunday when her ten-year-old daughter Nicola told her she had won second prize in our competition - £100 to spend at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet.

"I am absolutely thrilled," she said. "She must have written the letter at my mum's because I hadn't got a clue."

Like a lot of mums, Sallie spends most of her time running after Nicola and her eight-year-old sister Emma and little time on herself. Now she will be able to enjoy a £100 shopping spree - on the proviso that she spends the money on herself.

"This is perfect timing because we're going on holiday to Florida soon and I've got nothing to wear," she said.

"You know what it's like, I've sorted the girls out and not got anything for myself. This is so exciting!"

Sue's letter about her mum Joyce

The term "Super Trouper" could have been made for my mum! She is the most motivated, positive person I know. She has always been a rock for the family (three children including me).

She has had a truly horrible 18 months that many people would not have been able to cope with. Having had a hip replacement op, her hip was dislocated six times necessitating a trip to hospital on each occasion. She has also had to endure wearing a massive body brace (weighing one stone!) for a year - even sleeping in it.

Now, thank God, she has had corrective surgery, so the brace has gone. Her quality of life is on the up and up. She is so grateful for this new lease of life.

Nicola's letter about her mum Sallie

I think my mum deserves a prize because she is always running around after me and my sister and she never has time for herself.

Also it is my birthday on Mother's Day and as she will be giving me presents it would be nice to give her something back. But as I am only ten and just have my pocket money I can't afford anything special.

The vouchers would be great. She buys loads of clothes from McArthurGlen for me and my sister but never anything for herself. Please pick my mum!

Updated: 09:00 Tuesday, March 23, 2004