A couple from Billingford, near Swanton Morley, who set up a fund-raising organisation while the wife was suffering from terminal cancer, were named Norfolk legends at a charity evening.

Ten unsung heroes and organisations were short-listed for the accolade, which was collected by Fynn Cornish, whose wife Victoria died in January from a rare form of adrenal cancer, aged 29.

Despite her terminal condition, the couple set up an organisation called Imagine It, to inspire people to make the most of their lives, and also to raise money for a research project for the only adrenal cancer research project in the world. They were married last November, the day before her 29th birthday.

Mr Cornish, 28, said: 'It's an absolute honour to win Norfolk Legends, especially with so many inspirational people nominated, so thank you so much. Vicky and I built Imagine It with the ethos of living for the moment and building memories.

'We tell our clients to live for today because life's too short, and you never know what tomorrow holds. Look what we did Vic, this is only the beginning.'

Norfolk Legends runners-up included Sophie Day, whose husband Luke Day, a teacher at Costessey High School, was killed while they were on honeymoon in Egypt a couple of years ago.

She has since launched The Luke Day Adventure Fund in his memory, to support young people in Norfolk up to the age of 18 to access outdoor, cultural and music opportunities via their schools.

Other runners-up included David Cobham, who has a BAFTA, an Emmy and a few other prestigious awards from his time producing and directing films and TV shows including Tarka The Otter. He also played a huge part in the creation of Sculthorpe Moor nature reserve, near Fakenham, and was also largely responsible for the Peregrine nest box at Norwich Cathedral.

The runners-up also included Theresa Cossey MBE, who has been the driving force behind the Big C charity for over 20 years. She has helped raise £17m to buy scanners and fund consultants and provide the Big C support centre at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.

The Norfolk Legends event was held at Fusion at the Forum in Norwich on Friday to mark the first anniversary of county estate agents abbottFox, with proceeds going to the Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind.

The company named ex-Norwich City star Jeremy Goss – who is now fundraising manager for the NNAB – as its Norfolk Legend, and then invited the public to nominate their own unsung legend to share the spotlight with him.

david.bale2@archant.co.uk