Fatal bicycle crash victim Gary Mason was “a gentle giant” who “had a bit of time for everyone” in his community.

The former British boxing champion, killed on Thursday morning in a crash with a van in Wallington, was well-known on the Roundshaw estate and its Phoenix centre.

He ran regular courses in the leisure and community centre through the Rhythmical Empowerment Group, the social enterprise drumming course which he fronted.

He also used the library and had played a key role for the centre at a recent fun day.

Amanda Hall, who manages the cafe at the centre, said: “He was a wonderful man. A gentle giant.”

“He was friendly with everyone down here. He would have time for everyone.”

“His drumming courses were hugely popular with people of all ages.”

“He was really well known on the estate. Kids would run up to him and pretend to box with him. He had a bit of time for everyone.”

She said he had been asked to run a boxing course for Sutton children but had declined the offer.

She said: “I think he had closed the chapter on that part of his life. He loved his drumming and his community involvement through that.

She said he had also been a good friend to her, helping her with her recovery from cancer.

She said: “He gave me a memory stick with songs on that I could listen to while I was recovering from my chemotherapy.”

She said she hoped there would a memorial created for him in the area.

A neighbour in Douglas Close, where it is believed he lived alone in a flat, said the community was shocked by his loss.

She said: “He was a true gentleman. He would always say hello to people, hold the door for people in the block. He will really be missed.

She added: “Our thoughts go out to his family.”