I have known Gary for seven years. I first met him at an Open Day we were holding in All Saints Church Carshalton.

My co-Churchwarden Andrew Langley and I were delighted when he came in for a chat and we realised who he was – a very private man visiting a church he had often passed and one in which he found friendship and tranquillity.

He soon became a very regular worshipper with us and he supported all our concerts, open days and other events.

By the time I met him he was rather a private man. He told me it was because when he was ‘famous’ he met lots of people through his boxing and he preferred to get to know people really well before letting them into his intimate and close world.

Whilst he was very happy to use his former boxing champion title to benefit charities, he tried to keep under the radar rather and preferred meeting a few people who became his very close friends. He was a Founder member of the famous Bunbury Cricket Club. http://www.bunburycricket.com/ He was a lovely man, larger than life in size and personality. A true Christian, a great believer in Karma, a writer of beautiful uplifting poetry. The poetry he used to write was often very deep and tailored to events in this life – If he knew that you were down for some reason he would send you a lovely poetic message to cheer you up!

Over the last five years I have been involved with him in Rhythmical Empowerment Group. Gary asked me to become involved as he needed some business help – he was very persuasive! I got him the domain name and set up a website for him to start his drumming workshops, the first of which was held in All Saints Church Carshalton when people from aged 5 to 80 years old took part! That was just the start! http://www.rhythmical-empowerment-group.org/ Gary was convinced that we all had an inner rhythm and that drumming was good for the soul. The group was growing from strength to strength and Gary was really happy when it was agreed that 2012 was to be the Olympics in London. He knew this was an ideal time for him to move from local to national with this venture.

It allowed people from all walks of life and different cultures to try their hand at drumming and he was very keen for youngsters to use this as a way of keeping them off the streets and getting them into a useful activity. He was getting them trained as trainers for the activity funded by an Awards for All Grant.

I last saw Gary on Sunday evening 2nd January at the Epiphany Carol Service in All Saints Church Carshalton when he came to tell the choir how great they were!

He always encouraged me in the things I did in church and in the community. He was a source of inspiration and gave me a reason to push the boundaries of the church into the locality inviting in Christians and non-believers alike. He loved church so much.

I shall miss Gary greatly as he was a very good and true friend. A gentle man whose hug was overwhelming but very, very special.

Christine J Lindsay