A man who has dedicated his life to volunteering after a failed hip replacement surgery and suffering from osteoarthritis has been nominated for a Merton Community Award.

Seven years ago, Andy Butcher was made redundant and also underwent hip replacement surgery. When his body rejected his new hip, he was left unable to walk without crutches and spent almost two years at home recovering, writes Helena Uhl.

Mr Butcher, 52, of Phoenix Close, Mitcham, said: “I was getting depressed watching telly all day and being involved in volunteering helped me come alive again.”

Now he is busier than ever being the administrator and fundraiser for the Morden Little League, where he spends five to six hours a day, making it “almost like a full-time job”.

He also volunteers at the Morden and Merton Guild, where he helps older members of the community come together to socialise and take part in activities.

Between his volunteering, he has also found the time to organise the annual Morden Fun Day for the last three years raising thousands of pounds for local charities. Each Fun Day can take up to seven months to organise he adds.

After recently suffering a heart attack, he said: “The wife blames all the volunteering for the Fun Day and, and I blame it on being overweight and smoking.”

Although he feels better now and has quit smoking, he says his wife still wants him to cut down on the volunteering projects he does because he is currently working on more than five projects at the same time.

Mr Butcher also organised the Merton Dog Watch for the first time this year and plays the Santa Claus impersonator at Lower Morden Lane every Christmas.

 “I’d to like to think I’m the best Santa Claus, apparently I have the physique for it. Santa Claus is also the perfect job because I can do it sitting down.”

Nominate someone by voting online at www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mca or fill out a form in the Wimbledon Guardian newspaper. Nominations close on Friday, August 12.