Darren and Sarai Campbell have been working with national charity Hearts to Africa since 2002 and have made several trips to the continent, all of which were paid for out of their own pockets.

The couple, who married at the end of September after 10 years together, help African families by taking unwanted clothes and other goods. They have helped more than 35,000 children in the process.

Their work is so highly valued that they recently received a prestigious award from a United Nations organisation.

Sarai and Darren, from Denmark Road, were honoured as Ambassadors of Peace' by the Universal Peace Foundation - an organisation affiliated with the United Nations.

Sarai, 29, explained what triggered the couple to start work with the charity: "I remember thinking one day how amazed I was at all the stuff people throw away each year on a daily basis and people in Africa have a real need for it all."

The couple contacted the charity and have been working alongside them each year by taking out the donated items and spending time with African children.

Hearts to Africa is based in Croydon. In the nine years that it has been established it has never received sponsorship.

It has relied on the generosity and support of communities and individuals from across the borough.

Each trip Sarai and Darren make is self-funded, so the hard working pair have had to save money before they can leave. So far they have visited the Gambia and Senegal.

Sarai and Darren, who have two children aged one and two, spend at least two weekends a month with the rest of the volunteers at the charity sorting donated items.

This year they will be taking a 40ft container filled with items, including prams, clothes, gardening tools, medical equipment and stationary. They will then be distributed around hospitals, schools and to families.

Samuel Burke, director of the charity, nominated the couple for a Champions award. He believes they are unsung heroes.

"Sarai and Darren are long standing members of the charity and have demonstrated their commitment by going out of their way to work closely with the residents in the borough and promoting the work of the charity over and beyond expectations," he said.

Sarai added: "It is really nice to get some acknowledgement for the work we have been doing and to know that people are starting to understand why we are doing it. Although it all feels very surreal, I don't feel like we have done enough to deserve all of this.

"I will be doing this forever, it brings the African families so much happiness when we arrive and until they turn around and tell me that they don't want me to take out this stuff anymore then I will carry on."

For more information on the charity or to find out how to get involved visit heartstoafrica.org.uk.