They’re the hidden heroes of grocery. Those unsung employees who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly front of house. And this year, The Grocer decided it was time to put their names up in lights, to recognise them through a new award.

The shortlist featured people remarkable for their sense of duty, community spirit, dedication and passion. Budgens delivery driver Mahad Ahmed Petty Wood sales rep Gould Pearson Morrisons cleaner Georgina Lester Premier Foods stock procurement and environmental manager Brian Ross and Sainsbury’s shop floor worker Ray Meadows.

Unfortunately there could only be one winner. Based on an online poll of readers, the inaugural award was clinched by Morrisons’ answer to Pam Ayres.

Georgina Lester - or ‘Gina the Cleaner’, as she’s affectionately known - is a is a sprightly 69-year-old cleaning lady at the Morrisons store in Strood, Kent.

She started working there when the store was still trading under the Safeway fascia 17 years ago. And her loyalty and hard work has never been in doubt ever since. Despite her shift commencing every day at 3:45am, she is always “bubbly”, with “the heart of a youngster”, and is “full of passion for everything she does,” according to colleagues who add that even with a disabled husband to look after, “she never lets us down or brings her troubles to work”.

She even manages to cheer up her colleagues with her trademark comic poems, which she recites on a daily basis over the store’s tannoy. Now that’s what you call golden.

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