Stockport's Mama Flo wins Pride of Britain Local Hero award

What happened?

Florence Coke, known as Mama Flo, won the This Morning Local Hero award at the 2026 Pride of Britain Awards. She is 71.

Coke runs Mama Flo’s, a Caribbean takeaway on Buxton Road in Stockport. It opened in 2013 and serves dishes such as curried goat and jerk chicken.

How does she help?

Coke feeds people who cannot afford to pay. Pride of Britain says she has given:

• free Christmas meals to pensioners
• free lunches to children during the summer holidays, as living costs rose
• free meals during the pandemic
• blankets to people sleeping rough in winter

She started feeding local children after she noticed many of them hanging around and getting into trouble.

“I provide for thousands of people because if they don’t have money, they still need to eat,” she said.

Where does it come from?

Coke grew up in Jamaica. Her parents were farmers who fed people in their community. Her daughter, Seleciah Williams, says Coke’s father taught her to share leftover food with people who had less.

“I don’t like to see anyone go hungry, not in a million years,” Coke said.

What does her family say?

Coke has eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. “My Nan is a role model,” said her granddaughter, Caprice Coke.

Why does it matter?

A local business can be a lifeline. Coke’s takeaway shows how one kitchen can feed a neighbourhood when money is short.

Other people honoured in 2026 also feed their neighbours, including Raihaanah Ahmed in St Albans and Elaine Oakey in Blackpool. See every 2026 winner and regional finalist.