Ever since moving to south London in 1987, and then to Coulsdon in 1989, Letty and Allen have gone out of their way to support Filipinos who need help.

The couple, who met in the south east asian country, offer their home to those needing accommodation and help migrant workers find suitable employment.

They also set up a Filipino choir comprising of singers from across south London which has been running for six years and regularly take part in marches at St George's Cathedral in Southwark.

And all the good deeds they do, they fund with their own money.

Fifty-two year old Letty said: "I've been doing this for years, even when I was in the Philippines I did charity work. When I was a student I worked with missionary charities with nuns and priests. I've done it ever since I was 14 years old.

"My parents are deeply religious and my father was the leader of our village and founder of the local school so I'm following in their footsteps."

Letty, who works as a maternity nurse, added: "I only work in the weekdays so that I can devote my weekends to charity work. I'd say we help countless people every day and me and my husband work together."

And they do not just help Filipinos living in Croydon. Filipinos living in Ireland and Scotland also call on the couple for their guidance and support.

"We don't have any problems with helping people," Letty said. "Any problem they have we will try and find a solution for."

Speaking about being nominated for the award, she added: "I don't know how I feel about being nominated because I'm just so shocked."

Family friend Carmen Warner nominated them for the award, calling their hard work a "golden example" of what people can do and asking for them to get the recognition they deserve.

"This charity inspired couple has for years unselfishly and tirelessly crossed barriers to help people in or out of the community.

"Irrespective of the time and distance, or wear and tear to their own car, they will go not only a whole nine but even 18 yards to come to the rescue of a soul," she said.