A KESH grandmother, who judges boxing and helps run an award-winning community hall, was named this year’s ‘Woman of Today’.

In fact, the announcement in London came as a major surprise to Mrs. Lany McAnerin, who collected a £3,000 shopping voucher in the Woman’s Realm/Littlewoods Home Shopping Competition.

Lany revealed for once “she could not speak” after hearing of her success in the event.

Guest of honour, newscaster Sue Carpenter (pictured with Lany), presented the prizes.

The judges were obviously inspired by Lany, who helped encourage people to come together, regardless of religion or beliefs, and start the cross-community hall at Bannagh – from an old tin hut with a handful of hopeful members.

The efforts of the hall were noticed when it recently won an award for being the Community Centre of Great Britain.

Lany’s spare-time hobbies include being a boxing judge, learning upholstery at technical college, and just recently, learning to drive.

The telephone at Bannagh has not stopped ringing since she returned from London, when Lany has been interviewed for newspapers and radio, as well as all her other calls from friends and well-wishers.

Her success in the national event still surprises Lany, who said: “It still has not registered.”