Betty Playford has become a much-loved figure on a Tyneside estate since setting up 'Betty's Hut' in 1975.
The community stalwart, is not only a grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother to more than 100 children, but she's known to many in Cowgate as their 'Nana Betty'.
With such a large family, Betty is no stranger to offering help and support to those in need. The 89-year-old has dedicated more than 40 years of her life to helping people in her community.
And now for her hard work, she has been nominated for the Chronicle Champions Awards under the ‘Community Champion’ category.
She said: “Getting to my age and being nominated for an award is wonderful.
“I’m not really bothered about winning the award I just really enjoyed all the years working with the children in Cowgate and I miss it dearly.”
It all began when she moved to Cowgate in 1974 and started to work at Cowgate Community Centre.
After realising that there was nothing in the area for young people, Betty was determined to make a difference.
After receiving permission from the council for a hut to be built, Betty became well-known in Cowgate and soon everyone started to called her 'Nana Betty'.
Cowgate's local hero helped people of all ages and organised activities such as bingo and lunch clubs for the elderly.
Alongside daily activities, Betty organised camping trips, fairs and loved to get involved with any school activities.
She aimed to give children something to do with the hope to stop anti-social behaviour in the area.
Betty reminisces every day to her family about her time at Betty's Hut.
She said: “I'll tell you what I miss it, even now. When I retired I cried my eyes out.
“I loved it and I wish I was back. I would have still been doing it if I hadn't have retired."
Described as being "tough as old boots", Betty is not one to be messed with.
When children were causing trouble in the area, Betty would put a stop to it straight away.
When Betty retired from her role in 2000, Betty's Hut sadly became ran down and was later demolished.
Ever since Betty's Hut closed and other organisations have moved out of Cowgate, there is now a lack of community activities and projects.
Project4Change, a local youth charity, want to introduce a youth space back into the community on the derelict green space where Betty’s Hut once was.
The charity has decided to honour Betty by naming their new youth space after her in recognition of all she has done to support the people of Cowgate.
Kelly Coates, founder of Project4Change said: “Betty Playford embodies the spirit of Cowgate and she is a part of the rich history of the area.
“We want to name the new hut after her to remind people of the difference one person can make to the lives of their community.”
