A charity worker who has devoted the last 25 years to helping families in and around Dalton was described as a “wonder woman” as she was honoured as a Platinum Champion on the BBC’s The One Show.

Lesley Stephenson, the driving force behind the Greenfield Centre in Dalton, was invited to appear on the TV programme as one of the finalists for a Royal Voluntary Service Platinum Champions Award.

But it turned out that was just a ruse and Lesley had already been chosen as a Platinum Champion.

Mum-of-three Lesley was interviewed live by presenter Alex Jones, who shocked and delighted her with the surprise award.

Lesley was instrumental in creating a family centre from a burned-out building and built it into a charity-run community facility offering childcare and support to struggling families.

During the pandemic the centre launched a food bank and foodshare cupboards across the community.

“It is all about building the community and helping people survive these difficult times,” said Lesley.

Lesley with Alex Jones

Every Thursday night The One Show surprises a deserving individual who has gone above and beyond for their community.

Usually TV crews take a “big truck” with a giant screen out to surprise someone with its One Big Thank You feature but this week for the Queen’s jubilee the format was different.

Alex shocked Lesley when she said: “We don’t need a truck because today, Lesley, we are saying one big thank you to you!

“You are a Platinum Champion. You are incredible. I was on the judging panel and you stood out for all you do. You are a wonder woman. You are a lynchpin of your community.”

Lesley is retiring from Greenfields but is staying on as an advisor “until we know it’s all sustainable.”

Former Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc then unveiled Lesley’s reward – a ticket for the jubilee concert starring Diana Ross and Queen and Adam Lambert and Andrea Boceli at Buckingham Palace on Saturday night and a place at the Big Jubilee Lunch at The Oval cricket ground on Sunday attended by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Penny (left), Cheryl (centre) and Ashleigh-Jayne.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Lesley’s daughter Ashleigh-Jayne Rogers and friends Cheryl Reid and Penny Smith paid emotional tributes.

Cheryl said: “Lesley is our super woman without a cape. Hundreds of families she has fed. She is just amazing, so selfless. She works around the clock.”

Choking back the tears, Ashleigh-Jayne said: “You hear about all the amazing things that people do, and all the incredible things they do for their community.

“They go the extra mile and they strive always to achieve the best for everybody. They are always the first to volunteer and the last to give in and if you bottle those qualities you would have to give them the name Lesley.”

As the tears started to flow, Alex said: “Ooh, tissue for Lesley and tissue for me!”

Ashleigh-Jayne gives an emotional tribute to her mum, watched by Mel (left)

The idea for Greenfields in Dalton Green Lane was born in 1997 and over the next three years Lesley and a team of volunteers worked tirelessly to raise the £250,000 needed to refurbish the premises and open the centre as a charity in 2000.