A long-serving caretaker is always up for adding an extra bit of sparkle to the school hall.
Former dressmaker Abdul Amin, 49, of Drake Road in Chessington has been working as a caretaker at Tolworth Girl’s School for nearly 15 years and loves getting his workplace ready for a good event.
The father-of-three enjoys decorating the school stage for class assemblies and has also decorated an entire hall with up to 300 specially-clothed chairs for glamorous school proms.
Mr Amin said: “This was my first job when I came to this country from Kenya, and it will be my last job.
“I love it. Everybody is so nice and they give me the chance to do things I like.
“They give me so many opportunities at the school. I enjoy making things and decorating. I am always happy doing my job.”
Come rain or shine he begins his working day at 5.30am by carrying out all the normal cleaning and security jobs that come with looking after a school building.
He even admitted to regularly rushing out of his home pyjama clad at 3am to check up on the school if any alarms went off in the middle of the night.
He said: “They tell me you can go home, but I do not want to go before everything is done and everything is correct. Then I feel like it is OK to leave.”
Gillian McMillan, who works as a PA to the headteacher at the school, said: “He goes above and beyond what he is asked to do and does much more than what he is paid to do.
“He does so many extra things around the school and is a lovely man. You can always count on him.”
Mr Amin loves swimming and enjoys keeping fit by going for a dip at the Kingfisher Leisure Centre.
He said: “I am very surprised to be called a hero because I am just doing the job I love.”
l To nominate your unsung hero call 020 8744 4244.
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