Florence Coke, the 71-year-old owner of Stockport institution Mama Flo's, was surprised live on ITV's This Morning with a Pride of Britain Award. Hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary delivered the news, leaving an emotional Florence lost for words.
"I am never lost for words, never! But oh my goodness when I was sat there with Alison and Dermot, I couldn't speak. I'm so happy, so overwhelmed," she told the Mirror.
Award for 16 years of community service
Florence, known affectionately as Mama Flo, has lived in the UK for almost 30 years. For the past 16, she has run Mama Flo's Caribbean takeaway in Stockport, near Stepping Hill Hospital, ensuring nobody in her community goes hungry.
"In my community, I give free meals to kids, pensioners, and those who need it. I give away thousands and thousands of meals," she said. Her generosity includes serving free meals during the pandemic, providing free children's lunches through summer holidays during the cost of living crisis, and feeding local pensioners for free at Christmas.
Roots in Jamaica and a new life in the UK
Raised in Jamaica as one of 12 children, Florence credits her parents for her giving nature. "My dad and my mum were very, very hardworking farmers. My parents would line out all these plates to feed people in the community. I grew up with this mentality of doing what I saw my parents do," she said.
In 1997, Florence moved to the UK for a better life. She first worked in sales and sold newspapers for the Manchester Evening News. Mama Flo's first opened in 2010 in Gorton, north Manchester, before moving to Stockport in 2013.
Feeding the community and famous fans
When Florence noticed locals struggling financially, she fed pensioners, homeless people, and children. "If anyone was coming from prison, I classify them as human beings. I'd rather give them a meal rather than for them to go and steal," she explained.
Her menu features Caribbean classics like jerk chicken, curried goat, dumplings, patties, and wings. Celebrities including footballers Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker and singer Billy Ocean have eaten there. Florence wakes around 4am to start cooking for the midday opening.
Her daughter Seleciah said: "Mum is always giving. She's very, very kind. She'll do anything for anyone. Growing up, there was always food. She always said food is so important. And that if you've got enough to share, you can give it to someone else."
Florence will receive her award on October 19 at the Daily Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards in partnership with P&O Cruises, at Grosvenor House in London. Her granddaughter Caprice Coke said: "My nan is a role model, she's a queen, she's everything and I'm grateful to have my nanna in my life."
Mama Flo herself added: "The secret ingredient in all my meals is love. Cooking is my passion, cooking is love. I cook with love, I love to give, especially to kids. I never turn a kid away out of my shop. If I can save a person's life and ensure they are not starving for one night, I will do it. And I'm going to continue doing it."
