The tragic death of her 29-year-old son has spurred on Jeanie Lambert to help others in her tireless dedication and commitment to a club for disabled people – earning her a nomination in the Best Community Project for the Disabled category of the Bradford’s best awards.

The 61-year-old carer threw herself into voluntary work with the Linkklub, based in Hall Royd, Shipley, as a way of dealing with her grief after son Leon Tennet collapsed and died on the football pitch in 2003. So a year later, when her daughter Janine told her the club was about to fold, she knew exactly what to do.

Jeanie, of Meadow Court, Sandy Lane, Bradford, said: “When my son died and I needed to focus on something the club was the ideal thing to do. It has kept me going all these years.

“Janine has learning disabilities and she went to the club and one day, she came crying to me saying ‘the club’s closing!’ and that is how I found out they needed somebody.”

Since then, club members led by Jeanie, have tripled the membership and raised thousands of pounds to help the Linkklub carry on at its home at Northcliffe Church hall.

It now numbers about 45 members from across Bradford. The Linkklub, which is affilliated to Shipley and Bingley Mencap, hosts a weekly disco and themed events for members such as a Halloween party tonight.

Jeanie, who cut down her hours working for Bradford District Care Trust to give more commitment to her volunteering, also runs an annual trip for group members which saw more than 60 people ‘invade’ Scarborough this summer, she said.

And future plans include developing a club website, taking the disco to other parts of Bradford district and running karaoke evenings.

Jeanie, a widow, said: “We have been going for so long because, once they come, they don’t leave because it is a service that people want. We don’t try to patronise people.

“We don’t believe they should be there with colouring books. We give them the opportunities that everybody else has.”

Jeanie has been nominated for her Bradford’s Best award by fellow club member Rebecca Brandon.

She said: “Jeanie is a remarkable woman who has created a remarkable haven for people with learning disabilities.”