A WAR widow who has used her own experiences to help families deal with bereavement has won a national award, voted for by the public.

Karen Upton, 34, said she is "proud but overwhelmed" at being named the Tesco People's Choice Mum of the Year for her work with the Forces Children's Trust and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Mrs Upton became involved with the organisations after the death of her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton, of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, who was killed by a Taliban bomb while on patrol in Helmand Province, in July 2009.

Following her loss Mrs Upton, from Catterick Garrison, dedicated herself to her two children, Ewan, 11, and Hollie, eight, and contacted the Forces Children's Trust for support.

The organisation helps bereaved children by offering days out, holidays and counselling and, after realising that there was a lack of services for bereaved children in the garrison, Mrs Upton is now voluntary co-ordinator for the trust in the North-East.

She is also active in fundraising for both organisations and is planning to run the Swaledale Marathon in June, as well as organising a charity calendar with her friends.

Mrs Upton was one of three people eligible for the people's choice award, after being nominated by her sister, Lisa Evans.

Voters could watch three short films on Facebook, featuring the stories and achievements of each of the finalists, before choosing the one they felt most deserving of the people's choice award.

Mrs Upton said: "When the lady from Tesco called me, I thought she was going to say that I was a runner-up so I was amazed when she told me I had won.

"I'm proud but really overwhelmed at the same time. The children are really pleased too, they came running in when they heard me squealing on the phone.

"I will carry on raising money for both organisations and working with them and it's great that this award means they can get a bit of attention too."

Mrs Upton will receive her award at a star-studded event in London, on February 27, accompanied by her sister and four friends.