The pastor at Wimbledon’s Hillside Church for nearly 20 years has been nominated for a Merton Civic Award.

The Reverend Richard Thomas cares deeply about people, regardless of their faith, or lack of it, which is why he is also chaplain at Parkside Hospital and cancer clinics.

Nine years ago, Rev Thomas, 47, was on the treatment table himself, suffering from cancer.

Although there is always a niggling fear that the disease might return, he has dedicated himself to helping others battling cancer.

Rev Thomas has worked with other churches and faith communities to develop the Wimbledon night shelter scheme, which provides overnight accommodation for homeless people throughout the winter.

Merton Winter Night Shelter provides people who sleep rough in the Merton area with healthy and homemade food, a warm and dry place to sleep and a friendly atmosphere where they can relax.

He has also helped young people, using his church as a place for them to go when they need it, as well as hosting meet-up groups for teenagers up to 16 years-old.

On hearing he was up for an award in the community category, Rev Thomas said: "I was totally shocked to hear I was nominated."

"I’ve never been nominated for anything. I do what I do and get on with it, there are so many other people in the community as well."

"It was very kind of someone to have thought of me."