A FAMILY from Headley Down coping with pronounced learning difficulties has been shortlisted to win "the holiday of a lifetime" in a nationwide competition. Sarah Andrews nominated her family - partner Steven and six children aged eight to 18 - for pizza chain Goodfella's "family of the year" award because they have "stuck together through thick and thin". One of their sons, Liam, is dyslexic and one of their daughters, Kayleigh, has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and Asper-ger's syndrome, a form of autism which often appears as eccentric behaviour rather than obvious disability. The family said that, despite "suffering heartache" because of these conditions, they were "helping each other to stay positive" by taking family holidays and spending quality time together. Ms Andrews said that, even when money was a struggle, the children always came first. She added: "I'm really happy to have made it to the shortlist of this award. Life hasn't always been easy, but we are a very close family and always there for each other." The shortlist of 24 families has been selected by Good-fella's from 300 entries from across the United Kingdom. These families and their stories will appear on Goodfella's family of the year website, at the address http://www.goodfellas-pizzas.com/family">www.goodfellas-pizzas.com/family, until Febru-ary 18. Members of the public are asked to vote online for their favourite family. Following the results of the public vote, 12 regional winners will be chosen. An overall winning family will be picked by celebrity judge Vanessa Feltz and Goodfella's, which will review each nomination. The winning family will win a luxury holiday to the destination of their choice.
