Stockport icon Mama Flo was in tears after a camera crew from Good Morning Britain descended on her famous takeaway to give her a special award for her services to the community. Weatherman Alex Beresford awarded Flo with the One Million Minutes award, part of a campaign which asks the public to pledge their time to help those experiencing loneliness in the UK.
Beresford surprised Flo, real name Florence Coke, at her takeaway on Buxton Road with the award, and then introduced a special guest, I’m A Celebrity star Owen Warner, to present it to her. It was all too much for Flo, who has been providing free meals to pensioners over the festive period.
“I get up at four o’clock in the morning every morning, and when the pandemic struck, I said I felt sorry for those people who didn’t have a job, and I said I have to get out and cook for everybody in the community, and I’ve been doing that since,” she said, fighting back the tears.
Read more: Stockport takeaway boss has fed kids all summer
Presenter Susanna Reid said that she was ‘like Santa’, while Beresford called her a ‘real life hero’ for her work. “In a perfect world, there would be no need for you to do what you do,” Reid added. “But we live in a far from perfect world, and thank goodness for all of your goodness.”
Flo, who celebrated her birthday on Boxing Day, has long been supporting those in need in Stockport. Over the school summer holidays, she gave away free meals to children who would normally be getting them at school.
During the pandemic, she also gave away free meals to key workers. Hundreds have taken to to social media to praise Flo for her work.
“Mama Flo gives all year round and expects nothing in return,” said Racheal Barlow. “Stockport can't sing her praises enough. It fills me with tears of joy the way she is, just so selfless and ALWAYS thinking of and helping others. We need a world full of you.”
Tracey Aherne added: “So so proud, this made me cry, such a beautiful soul, couldn't have gone to a better person, I’m so proud that we have a kind and loving person like you in our community.”
It's not the first time that Flo's has welcomed in famous customers. Among her regulars are the likes of Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire and Stone Roses icon Ian Brown.
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