A Burton 'super-mum' who helped an international student settle in to life in the UK, treating him like her own son has been nominated for a Burton Mail Heroes award.

When 24-year-old Daniel Nikolla moved to London from Albania to pursue a career in football five years ago, he had no choice but to fend for himself in a foreign country.

After his football ambitions fell through, he applied to study film production at the University of West London - and it wasn't long after that he met 19-year-old Burton teenager Neve Hardy.

Daniel with Lisa
Daniel with 'supermum' Lisa Hardy

Daniel and Neve soon struck up a romance after meeting during Neve's trip to London and they began a long-distance relationship.

He was constantly traveling to and from Burton to be closer to his girlfriend - and there was always one 'super-mum' in Lisa Hardy on standby to ensure there was someone there to pick him up from the station and wash his clothes after a night-out.

Daniel said: "Being an international student can be very hard and you feel homesick very often.

"Neve's mum, Lisa Hardy, has been an absolute hero to me - almost like a second mum.

Daniel and Neve
Daniel and Neve

"She has done everything she could to help a young person like me settle in the UK and help me grow more.

"During my studies I had been coming to Burton as a tourist and Lisa always picked me up from the station, drives me around, and shows me the best places in the town and so much more.

"One night out in Burton a couple of months ago I got so drunk, I don't know why - I think it was the Burton beer!

"I got home and spilt wine and food all over myself. I had a white shirt and cream trousers on and the very next morning I woke up and Lisa had gone to the shop and bought me a new shirt and a new pair of trousers and it was all laid out.

Lisa with her mum
Lisa with her mum

"I woke up and thought, a lot of people don't do things like this."

After Daniel's studies came to an end last month, he received three job offers: two in London and one in Burton. In a bid to be closer to his beloved girlfriend Neve, Daniel took up the job as a marketing executive for Hardy Signs, in Wetmore Road, Burton.

"Lisa arranged my new place in Burton," Daniel said.

"She made sure everything was clean, set up and ready for me to move in without even asking.

"Moving house is one of the worst things ever and it was really smooth. When you move you have no food and everything is messy and everything was ready for me; it was like a dream. Lisa did all that my mum and dad would have done for me. I felt like I was living in my own home.

"She has been like a second mum to me in the UK and I feel blessed to have met her through Neve."

Daniel said that without Lisa, who co-owns Burton-based Hardy's Signs, in Wetmore Road, where he will work, moving to Burton would have been "more difficult" and that he "cannot count" all the small things she has done for him.

Lisa with her husband
Lisa with her husband Nik

He said: "When I started my new job she got me a congratulations card. I've never had a card before so that was cute. She also helped out with my visa applications.

"Her winning the award would just be a good way to say thank you.

"She goes the extra mile all the time, and not only with me but also with her family and neighbours and everyone knows her. Lisa is always thinking of helping people and making their lives better."

On learning of her nomination, mother-of-three Lisa Hardy, 47, said: "I don't know what to say.

"I do what I can for all of them. In situations I just do the best I can. It's just what I do. It's nothing special!"

Lisa has been nominated for The Mum of the Year Award as part of our Burton Mail Heroes Awards taking place in July.

The Mum of the Year Award is sponsored by Albion Bathrooms Kitchens Electricals, AlbionBKE, an experienced local bathroom and kitchen provider and Burton's exclusive Euronics outlet.

A spokesman for Albion Bathrooms Kitchens Electricals, AlbionBKE, said: "Albion Bathrooms Kitchens Electricals (AlbionBKE) turns 12 this year. As part of these celebrations, it's sponsoring Mum of the Year for the second time in the Burton Mail Heroes Awards. Settled into its new home on the Albion Gateway Estate off Derby Road, AlbionBKE offers the widest choice of modern and contemporary fitted kitchens and bathrooms in the area.

"From planning and design through to install, AlbionBKE provide honest, practical help and advice on how to make your dream bathroom or kitchen a reality.

"AlbionBKE sources high quality bathrooms from top suppliers including Vita and RAK, and also works with suppliers specialising in bathrooms for disabled people and others with specialised needs.

"It is Burton's exclusive Euronics outlet, part of the 6,000-strong Euronics European network. Its award-winning British kitchens incorporate appliances from leading manufacturers — including Belling, Fisher & Paykal, Bosch, Siemens and Neff.

"Catering for those on a budget right through to the latest locally-manufactured luxury kitchens from Mereway, AlbionBKE has a kitchen that you’ll fall in love with.

"AlbionBKE's experienced and friendly team will design, plan, quote and arrange a professional fitter for your new bathroom or kitchen. The process starts with a free no-obligation home visit and consultation on a day and time of your choice, or with a walk around the showroom where there is an extensive range of styles on display.

"Offering free delivery for appliances, the team will even remove the packaging and take away your old appliances free of charge (refrigeration products excluded).

"Dave Jarvis, managing director of AlbionBKE, is excited to present the award for that 'mum-in-a-million' for the Burton Mail Heroes' history books. After all, he knows it's the mums who get to make the final decision on a new kitchen or bathroom — and they deserve it!"

The awards aim to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of people, include unsung heroes and outstanding neighbouring who go that extra mile to help others without a second thought for themselves.

Nominations are still open - and anyone can nominate someone they think deserves recognition.

The Burton Mail Heroes Awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, July 4, at the Burton Albion Football Club. The ceremony will consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, celebrity hosts and the awards themselves where category winners will be announced.

To nominate your hero and say the biggest thank you of all, all you need to for do is fill out this form. It's quick and easy to do.

There are awards for:

  • Achievement Against All Odds Award sponsored by Murray's
  • Carer Award sponsored by Healthcare at Home
  • Extra Mile Award sponsored by Ethero
  • Inspirational Youngster Award sponsored by Clipper Logistics/SuperDry
  • Mum of the Year Award sponsored by Albion Bathrooms Kitchens Electricals (AlbionBKE), an experienced local bathroom and kitchen provider, and Burton's exclusive Euronics outlet
  • The Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Riviera Travel
  • Hero of Heroes Award, sponsored by Burton and Bretby Rotary Clubs.