Lockdown baby Charlie is our winner
HE’S A BIT OF AN ESCAPE ARTIST, SAYS THE MUM OF 11-MONTH-OLD
MEET Charlie Greener, your Chronicle Cute Kids winner for 2021.
With his cheeky little smile and his big blue eyes, this 11-month-old has touched the hearts of our readers and has officially been voted our bonniest baby in the region.
After entering her kids into the competition over the past 17 years, mum Lynn Chapman decided to try again and nominated Charlie.
And now the mum-of-three is bursting with pride that her son has been chosen from hundreds of nominations.
The 34-year-old, from Gateshead, said: “I am over the moon.
“Since Lewis was born I have been entering this competition and he is now 17. I thought I would enter again to see what happens.
“Charlie is adorable and no bother compared with my other two. He deserved to win because he’s adorable.
“I haven’t told anyone about Charlie winning so it’s going to be a huge surprise for everyone.”
Charlie was born on May 21 last year and still hasn’t been able to meet all his family due to the ongoing restrictions.
Lynn just made it to Queen Elizabeth Hospital where Charlie was born two weeks early, weighing 8lbs 4oz.
Lynn feels his start in life has been restricted as he has been unable to meet other children and take part in normal family activities and trips. But winning our competition
means she has £500 to use for his first birthday.
Lynn, who works as a housekeeper at The Vermont Hotel, added: “It was scary giving birth during lockdown and being two weeks early, I couldn’t get in touch with his dad, so I only had the midwife with me to give birth.
“My labour was far too quick; I was lucky enough to make it to the hospital.
“Now he’s at the stage he’s into everything. He’s got that mischievous look on his face to say, ‘I’m going to try and get away with it.’ He likes to try to escape; as soon as
the safety gates are open he wants to escape. But I can’t fault him; he goes to sleep at 8pm and sleeps all the way through.
“Some of the money will be put away for when he is older and I will use some on his birthday because I can actually take him out, treat him and he can meet family.”
More than 300 adorable youngsters were entered into this year’s competition, with more than a million votes placed.
Darla Louise Dunwoodie won the category for three-to-five-year-olds, winning £300.