A pair of Wandsworth women have been praised for their work with the LGBT community.

Nicki Ryan and Lucie Brook co-founded the ‘Free2B Alliance’ to help young lesbian, gay, transgender and non-binary people and provide them with an inclusive space where they can meet like-minded people.

The pair decided in 2010 to create a youth club after seeing how much support they needed and couldn’t provide.

Since then they have helped over 350 young people and expanded the club to what it is today.

Last week, the pair each got a shock after they received personalised letters from the prime minister recognising their hard work.

The letter sent to Lucie from Theresa May read: "You and Nicki have created an inclusive environment where hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and non-binary young people can make friends and share their experiences.

"Your commitment to improving inclusion and diversity in education and employment is remarkable and I wish you every success as you continue this important work."

Lucie was blown away by it.

"It is so fantastic to have all of our volunteered hours beyond our main roles, acknowledged and celebrated," she said.

"It is a real honour to receive this award and to have our hard work recognised."

Nicki's letter was equally heartwarming.

"The success of the Free2BAlliance is a testament to your commitment to improving the lives of young people struggling with the unacceptable discrimination of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia," it read.

"Your one-to-one sessions with the group’s members are a real lifeline for those who often have no one else to turn to."