Bearing in mind the profusion of resolutions that accompany the New Year, January saw Spabreaks.com offer to make 2012 one customer’s most glamorous year yet in a competition to win a full makeover – hair by famed Neville hair salon, wardrobe styled by a celebrity stylist (as well as £500 worth of new clothes), and personal training sessions with star trainer Cengiz Dervis.

What we didn’t expect on contacting winner Olive Brade, was for her to request that she offer the prize to a much deserving friend:   “I would dearly like this gift to go to my colleague Sandra Bronson who has worked so hard with myself to enable the Drop In Bereavement Centre project to get off the ground” – now that’s what you call friendship!

So before her makeover we chatted to mum of four, Sandra to find out what she is looking forward to most, and exactly why Olive nominated her for a bit of well-deserved pampering!

Olive has told us how hard working you are – tell us a bit about what you do.

I founded the Drop In Bereavement Centre eighteen months ago to offer counselling and therapies to anyone who is struggling with bereavement.  I lost my husband four years ago and found that there is a lack of support for those left behind – there wasn’t anywhere for me to go and I just thought there had to be more.

What treatments do you offer?

As well as counselling we offer Reiki, reflexology Indian head massages and full body massages.  You wouldn’t ask someone who had been in a car crash to get up and walk, you would put them on a stretcher and look after them – that’s what it feels like when you lose someone even though it doesn’t look like it, your body is taking a battering – you don’t sleep well and people often suffer from panic attacks, so anything that helps you relax is great.

Do you get much time to relax?

No!  Not really … not between work and the football run.  Sunday’s I get to myself a bit, but I have four kids – the girls are really excited about my makeover – they are desperate to get me out of my leggings!

You obviously know your spa treatments pretty well; do you have a favourite?

I do like a facial … you just look so much better afterwards – you know, as you get older the lines creep in and facials make a real difference!

What’s your everyday style?

Very much ‘mum on the go’ – I wear black leggings, a top and a cardigan, and because the weather is so cold at the moment I am always layered up!  I’m on a budget and the kids get most of it, but I don’t mind that!  I wear a lot of dark colours, I think they would like to see me in something brighter!

Do you have a particular beauty routine?

I wear foundation, blusher and mascara in the day – all very natural looking, and if I go out in the evening I put on eye make-up.  I still cleanse and moisturise – I haven’t let that go!

What are you looking forward to most about your makeover?

Definitely getting my hair done!  It’s so expensive to go to the hairdresser – I can never manage to get a cut and colour at the same time, and it just makes such a difference to the way you’re feeling.  I am looking forward to getting someone else’s advice as well …  I’m a blonde person though, so they had better not dye it black or anything!

Do you have plans for after your makeover?

No, I am just looking forward to the whole experience – time out, a cup of tea and having my hair done.  It’s just such a special gift.

Spabreaks.com will be catching up with Sandra after her makeover – so watch this space!