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92-year-old ‘community hero’ from Moston receives Pride of Britain award for helping hundreds
Dena Murphy was the proud recipient of the TSB Community Hero accolade at the Pride of Britain Awards in recognition of her tireless work.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2020 
A 92-year-old Grandmother from Moston has been honoured with a Pride of Britain award after helping hundreds of young offenders get their lives back on track through her community allotment.
Dena Murphy was the proud recipient of the TSB Community Hero accolade at the Pride of Britain Awards in recognition of her tireless work, heart of gold and hilarious wisecracks, which have captured the hearts of many fellow Mancunians over the years.
She enjoyed her well-deserved moment in the spotlight during the ceremony on ITV yesterday evening.
Dena said: “I don’t know what to say,”
“It’s not like me to be speechless, I never expected this. It’s the first time in 30 years I’ve actually cried. I love working in Moston to support people and am very touched by the award.”
This isn’t the first time Dena has been quite-rightly celebrated though, as last year she became the star of the show at the Pride of Manchester Awards, leaving the audience in stitches with her sharp wit, before moving them to tears with her compassion for others.
As well as her services to community through her beloved allotment, Dena also helps run a luncheon club for the elderly.
During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, she has helped feed 120 elderly residents a week with fresh food.
The Cheshire and Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company (CGM CRC) supervises people on Community Payback orders and has congratulated Dena.
Supervisor Richard Walters said: “I am absolutely delighted Dena has got this recognition; I can think of no-one else more deserving. It is such a pleasure working alongside Dena and everyone involved in the project looks forward to spending time with her.
“It’s obviously a pain for service users to have to give up their Saturdays to carry out unpaid work, it is a punishment after all.
“But it is also a way for people to learn new skills, to develop and to progress.
“Dena helps so much because she always gives a listening ear, she takes an interest in everybody’s troubles, and it’s obvious to everyone that she genuinely cares about people.
“It means our service users actually want to attend the allotment.”
Congratulations Dena.
Thank you for always making Manchester proud.
