A father with a great sense of humour who dedicates his time to helping his sons with their homework has been nominated as parent of the year.

Joseph Fadele, 52, said it came as a shock when he heard he was nominated for a Croydon Champions award by his eldest son Benjamin.

In his nomination the 11-year-old Gonville Primary School pupil wrote: “I have chosen my dad to be a champion because during the holidays he helps us do extra homework and keeps us top of our class.

“He helps us when we are down. He can be quite funny. He is a wonderful cook and you’ll love anything he makes for you.”

The dedicated dad, who is father to 10-year-old Daniel and eight-year-old Joshua and works as a chauffeur, said his flexible schedule let’s him spend lots of time with his sons.

He said: “I do my best to help the boys when they come home from school. I don’t want them getting into any mischief and so I spend a lot of time with them, bonding with them and having fun.

“My wife Mary works as a nurse at King’s College Hospital and is also studying part-time.

“This has all come out of the blue, I had no idea Benjamin had nominated me. It is quite a shock. I help my sons out of love for them and not for any kind of reward.”

Every week we feature some of Croydon’s heroes on this page and need your nominations. Nominees will be shortlisted and invited to an awards ceremony in November.