A woman who goes out of her way to help other people has been nominated in this year’s Comet Community Awards by her daughter, who is so proud of her mum’s caring nature.

Tracey O’Connor, of Broad Oak Way in Stevenage, was a foster mother for three years and works as a carer to an elderly person, as well as caring for a relative dying from cancer and helping elderly neighbours when needed.

Daughter Kerry-Anne has nominated her mum, 49, in the Carer of the Year category of the annual awards.

She said this week: “She has been a carer for 19 years and is outstanding – going above and beyond her job description.

“She does jobs she doesn’t need to do, including visiting the person she is currently caring for in hospital.”

She added: “I most admire how selfless she is for the community.

“She ran a youth club for six years, free of charge, and ran a community fete for free, too – she is selfless, unique and kind.”

When Tracey was told she had been nominated for the award, she said: “I don’t think I deserve it because I just think I do what anyone would do.

“If a neighbour, or anyone, needs anything I’m there, so I’m always really busy, but it’s a good kind of busy.

“I can’t see myself ever stopping because it was inbuilt in me from a young age to be there for people and to help out anyone in need.”

Award entries will continue to be accepted until April, when judges and sponsors – including Towergate Insurance which is backing the Carer of the Year category – assess the nominations and decide on this year’s winners.

As well as the award for Carer of the Year, there are a number of other coveted accolades which will be presented at the ceremony on Friday, May 20, which takes place at the Icknield Centre in Letchworth.

You can see the full list of categories and find out what you need to do if you would like to make a nomination by visiting the website at www.cometcommunityawards.co.uk.