Heroine of York floods in frame for Best of Hartlepool award

A woman who selflessly stepped in to help the victims of floods has been nominated for an award. Grandmother of four and mother of three Lesley Hornsby from Hartlepool gave up some of her own Christmas last year to aid the storm-hit people of York.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jan 2016, 08:53 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2016, 08:54 BST
Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.
Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.

She repeatedly headed to the city with food, blankets, toiletries and baby accessories after a Facebook plea for people to help. In the end she completed four missions and even headed a team of people who helped with the big clean-up of the city. On her last visit, she took buckets, mops, black bags, bleach, disinfectant and cloths for cleaning houses out, once they were dry.

Now, she has been put in the running for a Best of Hartlepool Award and the nomination for her said: “She was an inspiration to her fellow countrymen and women when they needed help most.”

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Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.
Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.

The Facebook response from the people of Hartlepool - to her plea for help - was so great, the items which were donated filled a convoy of two vans, a mini bus, six cars and a horse box. The nomination for Lesley added: “She is a true role model to others.”

The Fordyce Road resident admitted it was “a shock” to be in the running for a trophy.

But she added: “I did it because I wanted to help people out.” And while she has no immediate plans to organise any more big-hearted offers of help, she admitted: “You can never say never.”

Lesley is one of the first entries in this year’s competition and we want even more.

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Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.
Hartlepool Lesley Hornsby with the last of four batches of donated goods that are destines for the fllod victims of Yorkshire.

To put your own favourites in the running for honours, fill in the nomination form on this page or go online and enter at http://www.jpne-events.co.uk.

The competition is being held in association with Niramax, and in which Specsavers are category sponsors.

There’s plenty of time to get in touch as the deadline for entries is Saturday, April 2.

After that, judges will meet to face the tough task of drawing up a shortlist for each of the categories listed below.

Then it’s on to the grand finale at the Hardwick Hall Hotel on Tuesday, April 26.

Related topics:YorkHartlepoolSpecsaversFacebook