Community Awards sponsored by Irish Ferries.

THE Irish Post Local Community Award went to the remarkable Sr Teresa Moore, who has dedicated her life to teaching and helping to make the lives of Irish elders that little bit more fulfilling.

 For the past few weeks nominations have flooded in to the Irish Post for the second-generation Irish nun.

Sr Teresa spent 40 years in Coventry teaching before getting involved with the Irish Welfare Centre in Birmingham where she helps vulnerable and socially isolated older Irish people.

She was born in Manchester to Irish parents and, humbled by her award, said: “It’s most unexpected and I’m really not used to big affairs but I have to say I’m delighted that certain people felt I deserved it.”

The Outstanding Contribution to Community Award went to John Bird - the man behind the homeless magazine The Big Issue.

John was born just after the Second World War to a Lon  don-Irish family in then-slum-ridden Notting Hill. He was homeless at the age of five spent several periods in jail for shoplifting, house-breaking and vandalism. Using his own life experiences he later founded the Big Issue and over the last 15 years has overseen its growth and development.

A special presentation was awarded to Arlington House in Camden as it marks 100 years of providing care, help and sustenance to homeless men.