When Heather Shekede was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, her greatest concern was the welfare of her four-year-old son Marley.

Having recently enrolled him in a reception class at Davidson Primary School, she grew concerned that Marley’s life would be disrupted during her treatments and asked his new teachers to keep an eye on him.

Although expecting them to assure her he would be fine, she was overwhelmed by how one teaching assistant, Valerie Moy, 43, cared for Marley throughout her illness.

Mrs Shekede, 34, a nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, nominated Mrs Moy as a Croydon Champion for Teacher of the Year.

She said: “Mrs Moy, in my eyes, is a champion because she made a situation that could have been a traumatic experience for my son into a positive nurturing foundation for his school years.

“Mrs Moy went above and beyond her call of duty and I am entirely grateful for the kindness she showed.

“The loveliest lady I’ve ever come across. She’s sweet and warm and all of the children have a bond with her.”

During Mrs Shekede’s year-long battle with cancer, Mrs Moy was on hand to settle any of her concerns. Through the teaching assistant, she would hear about the friends Marley had made, how he was coping and the conversations Mrs Moy and Marley would share about their passion for WWE Wrestling. Although sensitive to the schoolboy’s needs, she would not allow him to misbehave and Mrs Shekede was always informed if Marley was underachieving or needed encouragement.

Mrs Moy said: “At first he would keep to himself. His mum tried to keep him cheery, so when I was with him I’d do the same. I’d keep him cheery by talking to him about wrestling.

My son is into wrestling so I would bring in the belts to show him. I looked after him like I would any of the children.”

Although Mrs Moy is no longer in Marley’s classes and Mrs Shekede has won her fight against cancer, the teaching assistant is still a good friend to the family, still making time for chats about their favourite wrestlers.

• Do you know someone who should be nominated as a Croydon Champion? Visit croydonguardian.co.uk/croydonchampions