The mother of a young woman killed in the 7/7 London bombings has paid tribute to the friends and supporters who help her family deal with their trauma after being hailed an ‘unsung hero’ at an award ceremony.

%image(15194567, type="article-full", alt="Mavis Hyman with her daughter Esther at Jewish Care's Topland Business Luncheon award ceremony earlier today. Picture: JUSTIN GRAINGE")

Following the death of her daughter Miriam in the July 7 2005 London terror attacks Mavis Hyman, husband John and daughter Esther channelled their grief into setting up the Miriam Hyman Memorial Trust.

Mrs Hyman, from East Finchley, was recognised by charity Jewish Care for two projects – one an eye care centre in Odisha, India – set up to recognise Miriam’s appreciation for eye health – and secondary school resources using Miriam’s and 7/7 survivors’ stories to tackle extremism and encourage greater fellow feeling.

On the meaning of the Trust’s work to the family, Mrs Hyman said most of the time the family’s headspace is positive and full of ideas on “constructive action”.

“What helps us tremendously is people’s compassion and willingness to give their time, skills and energy.

%image(15194568, type="article-full", alt="Mavis told an audience of about 700 that an award from an organisation which leads by example of what it means to love your neighbour is "very special and deeply moving". Picture: JUSTIN GRAINGE")

“Without that we would never put one foot in front of the other. It is this that gives us the encouragement and possibility of proceeding,” Mrs Hyman told the Ham&High.

At a Grosvenor Hotel ceremony Mrs Hyman, 86, was presented with the charity’s Topland Group Business Luncheon award – in memory of patron Philip Greenwold – in front of 700 guests and BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

Mrs Hyman said: “We are thrilled. The work of Jewish Care is rooted in caring for one’s fellow man. An award from an organisation which leads by example of what it means to ‘love your neighbour’ is very special and deeply moving.”

“The award has come just at the right moment for us because we would now like to get the resources on the curriculum.”

%image(15194569, type="article-full", alt="BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg joined the ceremony. Picture: JUSTIN GRAINGE")

Miriam’s Story: A Response to the 2005 London Bombings is being piloted in schools across the country and was first developed at Copthall School in Mill Hill where Miriam studied.

Mrs Hyman said: “The pain of losing Miriam is so terrible. Our reaction on hearing she had been killed was nobody should have to go through this.

“It’s so useless. What does terror achieve?”