Inspirational Pie Baker
1532. Flo Osborne
Flo Osborne, aged 89, from Essex, has been baking hundreds of pies from scratch for elderly and vulnerable residents in Harwich.
Her community acts of kindness have seen her become a social media sensation, including receiving support from footballer and campaigner Marcus Rashford. Flo’s baking has been part of the wider work of ‘North Essex Support Team (NEST)’, run by Les Nicolls, which provides support and donations of household items for families and individuals in need, free of charge.
In a personal letter to Flo, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I was amazed to hear of your extraordinary one woman bakery. Over the last few months, you have fed hundreds of vulnerable people and your legendary cherry pie has delighted the people of Harwich.
“I know you do this with no thought of recognition, but you deserve every word of praise.”
Flo said:
“I can’t understand what all the fuss is all about! All I’m doing is trying to help the old folk and Les Nicolls with his charity NEST North Essex Support Team, for which my son and I cook. He has gathered up lots of volunteers in the Harwich community to cook and delivery over 100 meals twice a week to the old and vulnerable in Harwich during all the lock own and is trying to raise £10,000 to provide Christmas breakfast and dinner, along with presents for the children, for 100 families in Harwich.”