And his selfless work has been recognised on a national level. 

Mr Allen, known as the ‘melanoma crusader’ is a nominee for Australia’s Local Hero at the 2018 Australian of the Year Awards. 

Mr Allen is a melanoma survivor. 

Just 32 when he was diagnosed, he established a global online support network, took action against the solarium industry and joined the Melanoma Institute Australia as a community coordinator.

His dogged determination led to a ban on commercial solariums in NSW.

Now, Mr Allen shares his story with school and community groups, holds the hands of many melanoma patients and families, and works tirelessly to raise funds for a cure.

In 2017, he trekked 1,200 kilometres over 29 days from Brisbane to Sydney in the Longest Melanoma March, meeting melanoma sufferers and their families along the way, educating school children about sun-smart behaviour, and raising $261,000 for a clinical trial for advanced melanoma patients.

Selfless, compassionate and driven, Mr Allen has turned his own personal battle into a mission to reduce a cancer that kills more young adults in Australia than any other.

Mr Allen is among four people nominated for the award across NSW. 

The NSW Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Award recipients will be announced on Monday, November 13 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

The NSW Award recipients will then join a cohort of 32 state and territory recipients from around Australia in the national Awards, which will be held in Canberra on January 25, 2018.

National Australia Day Council CEO, Ms Jenny Barbour, said the NSW nominees were among 130 great Australians being recognised at the state level in the Australian of the Year Awards.

"The Australian of the Year Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Australians – people making extraordinary contributions to our society," Ms Barbour said.

“The NSW Award nominees are an extraordinarily diverse group of people, yet all are giving in their own way. Their stories remind us we all have the power to help others, to bring about real change, to improve lives, to create and to bring joy.”