A nurse who grew up in a Malaysian orphanage has won an award after impressing staff at Charing Cross Hospital.

Amin Abdullah, of Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill , was presented with the Hannah Evans Award for Excellence by the League of Charing Cross Hospital Nurses for achieving a high standard in clinical knowledge and practice during work placements at the hospital and at nearby Hammersmith Hospital.

The 39-year-old graduated from Buckinghamshire New University on September 10 and now works as a nurse at Charing Cross Hospital .

Amin lived in an orphanage in his native Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia until he was 18-years-old and said he was astounded to win the award.

He said: “I just do my best at all times but I was not aware I was being judged and that my performance was being monitored. Now that the news has sunk in I am delighted and proud.

“I take my job very seriously as we have people to care for and feel that every individual patient is special.

“The opportunity to study at Bucks New University changed my life and I have to thank the university for its support and expertise and also Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust for giving me the opportunity to realise my vocation.

“I have achieved my degree a little later in life than most, therefore my intention is to learn, learn and learn more with the aim of getting promotion again and again to make up for lost time.”