A Stockport legend who helps feed the most vulnerable in her community with warmth and love is set to be honoured at Wednesday's annual Pride of Manchester awards.
Florence Coke, affectionately known as Mama Flo, has spent decades raising funds for schools and hospitals. She is best known for using her Buxton Road Caribbean takeaway to feed thousands of hungry mouths through the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
The grandmother of seven, born in Jamaica, will receive the TSB Community Hero prize at Wednesday's Pride of Manchester awards. The evening, hosted by Kym Marsh, is set to see stars honour local heroes in a glittering ceremony at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
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Florence has used her food and warmth to come to the community's aid during the most trying times. During the pandemic, the 68-year-old supported the most vulnerable in her area, providing hundreds of free meals to hospitals, care homes, and schools, as well as NHS staff and key workers.
As the cost of living crisis kicked in, she moved on to providing free meals to scores of hungry school children during holiday time. Her generosity didn't end there, as she spent the festive period cooking for local pensioners. Her alarm is set at 4am every day so she can get everything ready.
She said: "It's hard but I have to help them. I know people are struggling. I have seen it and heard it. I talk to people secretly. Customers come in and say 'Mama Flo, I'm struggling. That's all I have'. I don't even count it because I know it's not enough but I give them the meal."
Her restaurant, Mama Flo's, with its signature curry goat and brown stew chicken, has been given the thumbs up by famous faces including footballers Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire.
But for Florence, everyone in the community counts. She says: “When I was a little girl, my dad would make food abundantly. We’d feed all the people in the village."
Florence will be handed the TSB Community Hero award during Wednesday's star-studded ceremony.
The M.E.N Pride of Manchester Awards with TSB, will take place on Wednesday May 10. There will be live coverage throughout the night from the Manchester Evening News and on the Pride of Britain social channels @prideofbritain.
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