ROBIN van Creveld created a project which provides cookery courses for older men.

Lewes-based www.communitychef.org.uk supports hundreds of people across the county and further afield.

Now he has received the shock of his life from The National Lottery’s “Big Surprise” which honours individuals who have made a real difference with the help of National Lottery funding.

On Saturday night he will appear before five million viewers on ITV1.

The Big Surprise is a 90-second weekly slot during the ad break of Saturday night prime time ITV shows.

Robin established Man With A Pan cookery courses for older men in partnership with Camberley’s Alzheimer Café in Surrey as a practical way for men to learn how to cook and be healthy while making friends, being active and building community.

Since the first five-week course in 2014, many Man With A Pan alumni have acquired a full range of cookery skills, healthy eating tips and can now produce a range of delicious and easy dishes.

Many have also made long lasting friendships.

In recognition for all that Robin has achieved, for his Big Surprise, The National Lottery worked with Man With A Pan graduates to create a surprise meal for their mentor.

Arriving at the St Mary’s Church Hall in Camberley, where the courses are run, Robin thought he was about to meet some new recruits.

Instead he was welcomed with cheers into a hall festooned with party lights and delightful cooking smells wafting from the kitchen.

Robin said: “I’m completely overwhelmed at this surprise.

“As a chef, I’m very familiar with being in the kitchen but to see others catering for me is an amazing, and humbling, change.

“I feel very special and it’s rewarding to see all these lovely faces again, and to see the men putting into practice all the skills they have learnt.”

Robin’s Big Surprise will air across the ITV network this Saturday during the ad break in The X Factor.