This column was initially going to be about the new prime minister and some of the items that the people of Norwich might want to see on Theresa May's to-do list.

But then a story came along that I knew was much more worthy of the next few paragraphs.

Therefore, instead of listing all those things the incoming tenant of 10 Downing Street is unlikely to be able to resolve anyway, I would like to praise and honour the work of a true Norwich stalwart.

In case you missed it, we reported on Wednesday the sad and very untimely death of Tim Stapleford. Tim was just 55 years old and the city will be a worse off place without him.

The Cringleford man, who succumbed to cancer, devoted hour upon hour to trying to offer sports and activities for young people. He established a number of youth sports initiatives, including the Norfolk Christian Youth League, while his weekly football sessions at Jenny Lind Park in Norwich earned him the Norfolk Police Community Citizen of the Year award in 2014.

On top of all that he was also a father-of-four. Where on earth did he find the time?

People like Tim are so important to the village, town or city where they live.

They are the glue which holds the community together.

I know that in the village where I live, Hethersett, we are lucky to have the sports facilities and groups to choose from that we do because of the efforts of a handful of people.

The type of people who share the same can-do attitude that Tim had. They do it for no money, no praise and often no recognition. Just out of a desire to make things better for people around them.

Unfortunately, however, there appear to be fewer and fewer people like Tim around.

How many times have you considered giving up time for a good cause, but then decided life was too busy and simply carried on as normal? I know that's something I have done in the past.

Perhaps if next time we had those thoughts we turned them into action, we could make this city an even better place to live than it already is.

If you have any news, views or feedback then please do drop me a line at david.powles@archant.co.uk

David Powles