Newcastle super gran loving life with ten grandchildren attending primary school

Newcastle super gran loving life with ten grandchildren attending primary school

5 February 2020

MEET Newcastle’s super gran Karen Cunningham.

The 52 year-old is grandmother to ten pupils who all attend the town’s St Mary’s Primary School and nursery unit.

The eight boys and two girls — who include a set of twins — are the sons and daughters of Karen’s three eldest children.

While it may not be an official record, St Mary’s believe that this is the first time this has happened for as long as staff can recall.

With a 14 week-old baby boy and another baby due in April, it looks like St Mary’s can rest assured of having one of Karen’s grandchildren at the school for the next decade at least.

Karen’s son Andrew and his wife Kristen have four children at St Mary’s — Reece in P7, Keelie in P6, Kai in P5 and Emie in nursery; daughter Charlene Hamill and husband Dominic have four boys, Dara Hamill in P6, twins Tiernan and Riley Hamill in P2 and Morgan Hamill in P1 and have a baby on the way; daughter Kerrie-Louise Aspel and her partner Gary Kearney are parents to Nathan Kearney in P2 and Keegan Kearney in nursery school and 14 week-old Carly.

While the mother of four, whose 18-year-old son Corey Madden still lives at home, admits to not always remembering the ages of her grandchildren, she could not be happier with her brood.

“My grandchildren are the light of my life. Life can be absolutely hectic but I absolutely love it,” said Karen, “Once Reece came along 11 years ago, it seemed like there was a child every year after that and there’s one on the way.

“I was up recently at the school for grandparents day and it looks like I will be up there for some years to come. I attend all of the school’s events, such as the Nativity plays and have come to know all the staff very well.”

Karen says she thrives on being a grandmother and while admitting to being thoroughly biased, she thinks her grandchildren are all beautiful.

She’s naturally in demand by her children to help out with babysitting and says she would never think of turning down a request.

“I love having the children around with me and looking after them is never a bother,” said Karen.

“St Mary’s is a great school and they love going to it. I have been looking for a picture with all my grandchildren together with me for a long time and I’m grateful to the school for making this happen.”