This month's Hornsea Hero, Norma Sugden, chosen by Freeport Hornsea and the Hornsea Post, has been an inspiration over the years, both in her working and private life.

Norma, who many readers will remember as their postwoman for a number of years, has not only delivered thousands of letters but also collected and delivered over £20,000 to children's cancer charity Candlelighters, by carrying out fundraising events in and around Hornsea.

Norma, who moved to Hornsea over 30 years ago, became involved with the Candlelighters when her grandson Thomas, then only a baby, became ill with leukaemia.

The group was set up by parents of children who were suffering from malignant or severe blood diseases and were being treated in the paediatric oncology and haematology unit at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

Grateful for the help and support Candlelighters gave to her family during this very difficult time, Norma wanted to help the group and decided to dedicate her free time to fundraising.

She has run tombolas and raffles at any event available, eventually raising more than £20,000.

As if raising a family, being a postwoman and carrying out her charity fundraising were not enough, Norma also finds time to help with the soup dinners at the Pentecostal church and every Monday morning at the local Pop-In centre, serving tea and coffee to all the group's members.

Sylvia Burton, chairwoman of the Pop-in centre and a longstanding friend of Norma's, said: "Norma works tirelessly for the very worthy Candlelighters and to raise such a large sum of money is a marvellous effort on her part.

"Nothing is too much trouble for Norma she is always willing to help in her own quiet way. She has been a true asset not only to the Pop-in centre but also the Pentecostal church.

"We cannot thank her enough for all her efforts and she is a very worthy Hornsea Hero."

Simon Tudor, centre manager for Freeport Hornsea, said: "We have been sponsoring the Hornsea Hero award through the Hornsea Post for a year now and are still amazed after all the very worthy people already nominated that there are so many kind-hearted and generous people living in Hornsea."

Norma receives shopping vouchers from Freeport as her reward.