Barnardo's scraps Mother of the Year award

Charity Barnardo's has announced it is scrapping its Mother of the Year award because the high-profile event no longer reflects all families.

The annual award has been running for 25 years and Barnardo's said it was a difficult decision to make.

"This is a decision that we have not made lightly, and one we make with many fond memories of the incredible mothers and families we have met over the past 25 years," the charity told 2GB's Ben Fordham in a statement.

The charity said it worked with a variety of carers - not just mothers - including sole parents, same-sex couples, relatives caring for the children of family members, and children who are cared for by their grandparents.

"With this in mind, we believe that the celebration of mothers in the absence of others does not truly represent all the families and care givers we celebrate daily in our contemporary world," it said.

Presenter Ben Fordham, who has hosted the event for the past few years, said the decision was "a real shame".

"I've met some incredible women through hosting this event, refugees, survivors and foster mums," he said.

"I've met women who have fostered dozens and dozens of children and without the award, some of these women may go unrecognised."