Henry Xu, who owns a Subway diner, refused to accept payment as he personally home-delivered several meals and coffees to a regular patron down on her luck.

Customer Michelle O'Connell, who faces a series of health problems stemming from long-term diabetes, said she rang Mr Xu to explain she wasn't able to come into the store for two weeks while her car was under repair.

"He said he'd bring me over my lunch. I thought that was a bit much and I said no. But the next day, he turns up with sandwiches and coffee - he did that three days in a row. He's just genuinely giving. He does this sort of thing all the time."

Ms O'Connell, 50, has faced serious health issues from her diabetes. She had to have a leg amputated and undergo a pancreas and kidney transplant.

Her replacement kidney is on the way out and she has gone back on to dialysis three times a week for the past year.

Recently, her legs stopped working due to nerve damage. She has been in rehab at Dandenong Hospital for three months in the hope that she will walk again.

Mr Xu said Ms Connell reminded him of his mother, who also had diabetes and an outgoing, positive outlook.

"It's like a friend who needs help. It didn't feel like this was about an owner and customer. I didn't want to get paid. I think she is just so nice. She chats with our staff and they all love her."

Despite her tribulations, Ms Connell tries to remain happy-go-lucky. "Diabetes is an insidious disease. But I've been upbeat most of my life. It's been only recently that it's affected me and I've broken down in tears.