A MAESGLAS mum won the top prize at Newport City Homes’ first ever Shining Star awards on Tuesday night.

Cheryl Marsh, who lives on Maesglas Avenue, was awarded the housing association’s “Help in your Community” award.

But she was also named overall winner, beating three other winners at the Lysaght Institute in Newport.

The awards were held to celebrate the achievements of people who had attended Newport City Homes’ courses.

Mrs Marsh play an important part in the Maesglas community.

The mum is the chairwoman on the Maesglas events committee and took a Newport City Homes course on bid writing for charities in Pill last year.

She is mother to Tommy, 16, Connor, 14, Kieran, 13, and Alfie, six.

Initially, she was only attending the awards to watch Kieran sing and play his guitar.

She said: “I was happy to support Kieran but winning just made my night.”

In addition, Ms Marsh helps with all Maesglas United’s various teams, from the five-year-olds up to their senior squad.

Her husband, Colin, is the manager of the senior football team.

The youngest junior teams play at Maesglas Primary School, while the older teams play on Tredegar Park playing fields.

Other winners at the event were Suzanne Poretta, who won the “Improving Services” award, Russell Owen, who scooped the “Maintaining your Home” award and Margaret Roberts, who got the “Personal Development” award.

A Newport City Homes spokeswoman said the event was “excellent”. She added it “allowed volunteers to be rewarded for their efforts”.