A Wife who battled on following the death of her husband last Christmas Day, is one of just four people around the world to receive a prestigious award.

Jenny Martland received an EFC Black Belt Schools Martial Arts Spirit Award, for her determination to carry on with life following the death of her husband, Dave.

Last Christmas, Dave, 47, had just finished laying the table when he suffered a heart attack.

Jenny and Dave had been married for 22 years, and have two children Sarah, 17, and Andrew, 13.

She said: “Dave collapsed in front of me. He had a massive heart attack.

“I was getting the dinner ready and the kids and his parents were there.

“It was so sudden. I’m a trained first aider and did CPR until the ambulance arrived.”

Dave worked as a computer programmer and designed a website for the Friction Dynamics workers who were out on strike, winning a TGWU award for his efforts.

He was also a member of the Masons in Caernarfon, and Jenny has kept all of the speeches he gave the Segontium Lodge.

“He was a very quiet person. A quiet genius I called him.

“I lost my own dad when I was 18 and at the time, Dave was a tower of strength for the family. It’s the sort of chap he was.”

Despite her grief, Jenny continued to go to karate lessons at John Lynn’s Black Belt Academy, in Caernarfon, where she also teaches.

“It was quite a major factor in me getting back on my feet and keeping going for my two children.

“There is such a positive atmosphere there. So much so that if I’m feeling low I can go there and everyone is friendly and very supportive, and I know I will feel better when I come away.

“It helps me cope with everyday things.”

A plaque on the award says Jenny won it for “showing a willingness to network, to share your knowledge with others thereby being an important element of the rising tide that raises the boats”.

Jenny, 45, of Constantine Road, said: “I’d never received anything like this. I’m a big believer in positive thinking. If you are positive it helps you to get over the bad things that happen.

“The award was so fantastic. I was floating 6ft off the ground for days!

“I got my black belt in June and now I’m working towards my second Dan. I’m going to keep going.”

She also returned work full-time, went back to running the First Caernarfon Brownies, and retook her first aid certificate, which was particularly poignant, but something she needed to do for herself.

“I can’t say thank you to everybody enough,” she said.