Willie Watt, 55, heads homeless project Heaven's Kitchen as well as a counselling centre at his church, Dudley Christian Fellowship. And when the local MP went to one of the church's family fun days, he was blown away by the work the church was doing.

Willie said: "The meeting with Gordon Brown came about when our local MP, Ian Austin, came to one of our community fun days. On the Saturday we had around 200 people there. It was just fantastic! Then, we got this letter inviting me to go and meet Gordon Brown. Because of the work that is being done in the community, Ian Austin had nominated the work of the church for a Heroes in the Community award.

"So, we went to London, had a guided tour of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, then got taken to meet Gordon and Sarah Brown. It was so surreal."