The father of an autistic girl and uncle of a former gang member is going the extra mile to help Croydon’s youth.

Moise Bailly set up the Family Restoration Centre in 2005 to help autistic and disadvantaged children and young people around the borough.

The West Norwood-based charity also helps families of disadvantaged youths by providing advice and guidance. Mr Bailly, who spent 15 years teaching maths and IT, wants to give young people a future, help them regain confidence and keep them off the streets.

The 47-year-old runs workshops every Saturday focusing on IT training, music and sports activities. He said: “Many of those children are good at singing, drama or sketches, but no one supports them, so they’re kind of lost.

“There’s a bridge between them, and their parents and the society; and we want to be that bridge.”

Mr Bailly was nominated in the charity volunteer category by Jade Brooker, who has been doing administration work for more than six months at the centre.

She said: “His work has no limit. If he could, he would help everyone. I can honestly say I have never met a man so caring in my whole life.”

Although the charity’s focus is youth, other people in need do not go unnoticed. It is planning to provide homeless people with shelter and access to a food bank this winter – something it has not done before.

The centre is entirely run by donations, but it is also trying to receive some Government funding for its numerous projects.

Daniil Magit, 22, is the team leader for the small group of five fundraisers. He said of the new plans: “We are developing in every direction.”