Great-grandmother Cynthia Coatts, 89, is still teaching, acting and producing plays in Coulsdon after 60 years.

She started teaching dance and drama at Rosslyn Dance and Drama School, Lower Addiscombe Road, at the age of 18.

Since then she has taught at schools across the borough and was deputy headteacher at Fair Dene Independent School in Chipstead for 38 years.

Cynthia says: "I love it. Helping children make the best of themselves and bringing out a child's potential."

Cynthia, who has been nominated for a Champions arts award, moved to Coulsdon in 1947. She has organised and produced many shows including Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Darren Twist, 34, has been nominated as a Community Champion for raising more than £17,000 in memory of his late colleague and friend, David Smith.

Following David's untimely death from cancer in 1998 at the age of 37, Darren and colleagues at Purley ambulance station, organised a charity golf day.

The annual event, held at Farleigh Court Golf Club, raises thousands of pounds for cancer charities.

Darren says: "David was popular and well-liked and it was felt that a plaque was not original. He is still very much at the centre of the conversation and missed by all his friends, family and colleagues."

Darren was nominated by David's family who said: "We would like Darren to be recognised for his support, hard work and commitment to the raising of these funds."

Six-year-old Shawn Rogers has endured a lot in his short life. Two cancerous tumours were found and he was diagnosed with neuro-blastoma when he was just 18 months old.

Shawn, of Norbury Avenue, Thornton Heath, has difficulties with his speech and is unable to sit up alone or unaided for a length of time, he is only able to stand or walk with a standing frame or gaiters.

His mum, Natasha, who nominated Shawn for a Champions Child of Courage award, says: "For what Shawn has been through at such a young age and continues to go through we think he is just an amazing little boy, a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day."

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