THORNHILL grandmother Pauline Hart has been hailed a “true asset” to the community for her work with the young people she takes into her home.

The disabled 54- year-old mum-of-six has fostered several troubled teenagers and now opens her home and her heart for a living.

She provides lodgings for often wayward youngsters and works with them to help them develop life skills so they can live independently.

But rather than just teach them the basics, such as washing and cooking, she goes the extra mile to make them feel at home.

She is currently putting up a 17-year-old Afghan asylum seeker and took it upon herself to learn about his culture and religion to make his stay more enjoyable.

Even when some of the teenagers burgled her home she refused to give up.

She told the Daily Echo: “It is not just about teaching them life skills it is also about building up their confidence and showing them they are worth something.

“It is very rewarding for me. I just like helping others and find I always get talking to people wherever I go.

Pauline went on to say she couldn’t do it without the support of her family.

It was her daughter Kate Summers who nominated Pauline saying: “She truly is an asset to the community.

She is fabulous and goes above and beyond, helping these teens who otherwise I’d expect to be in trouble with the police as most have before they come to mum.

“She deserves a millionaire lifestyle.”

Kate went on to say her mum is a well-known character in Thornhill and used to run a breakfast club.

Even now small children still knock at her door for advice or help knowing they will be greeted with a friendly face.

Her achievements were recognised when she won Thornhill Citizen of the Year.