Firm's 'extra special thank you' to mum

UNSUNG hero Marie Carslaw receives her surprise at a celebratory meal

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

AN UNSUNG hero has been awarded a Christmas prize for her "dedication and selflessness" throughout 2016.

Full-time carer Marie Carslaw was rewarded for the support she shows others with a special gift from Stagecoach Manchester.

The Oldham resident received two tickets to Manchester's Winter Wonderland, the UK's largest indoor Christmas theme park, as part of the bus operator's competition.

Marie said: "The award came as such a surprise and what Stagecoach Manchester has done is absolutely fantastic, but I still don't think I deserve it.

"Winter Wonderland is a place where I have wanted to go to with the children for some time and I'm very grateful that we have been given tickets to enjoy the experience as a family."

The mum-of-three was nominated by her best friend Donna Godleman after residents were invited to put forward friends or relatives whose hard work regularly goes unnoticed or who always go out of their way to help others.

Stagecoach asked for nominations to tie in with their Customer Service Week as an "extra special thank you" while aiming to raise awareness about the importance of customer service.

Marie's selfless work in the community, "constant support to relatives and friends" and commitment to providing food for the less fortunate were among the reasons for receiving the accolade.

She was also praised for being an exceptional mother to her children who are on the autism spectrum.

A celebratory Christmas lunch was given to Marie, her friends and family, as well as a certificate sharing the news of her paid-for tickets to Winter Wonderland.

Family members took a special trip to Event City before Christmas to make the most of the rides, meet Santa and watch the Cinderella Mini Pantomime and Christmas Circus.

Stagecoach Manchester managing director Elisabeth Tasker said: "Every day, so many people do extraordinary things that largely go unnoticed. Marie is one of those and is a more than deserving recipient of this award."