"He devoted himself to looking after others and we’ll all miss him."

Those are the words of just one of many mourning the sudden loss of a community hero.

Roger Douglas-Brown, 64, died in hospital on Easter Sunday, just three days after suffering a serious head injury following a fall outside his home in South Oxhey.

Tributes have poured in from across the estate and nearly £3,000 has been raised to help pay funeral costs to give Mr Douglas-Brown the send-off he deserves.

His former neighbour, Krystel Copeland, set up a fundraising page after his death after Mr Douglas-Brown appointed her as his next of kin following a different fall last year.

She has described the three-time London marathon runner, keen swimmer, and professional dog walker as an "inspiration".

Ms Copeland told the Observer: "Roger is going to be massively missed. You couldn't have asked for a better neighbour. He was so kind and caring and nothing was ever too much for him. He would always give for everyone else and he never wanted anything from anybody."

"He's been an inspiration in my son's life. We were the family he chose. For something like this to happen is really sad."

Watford Observer:

Ms Copeland says Mr Douglas-Brown, who she knew for around 15 years, helped his neighbours with their shopping and gardening, and he had been out to collect some items when he fell on steps outside his home on April 1.

The 64-year-old was airlifted to a specialist hospital in London but was pronounced dead on the Sunday.

Rene Sheehan, who has known Mr Douglas-Brown for around 30 years, said: "Roger was always an early riser. He'd go and get his paper and he was always dog walking. Everyone on the estate knew him.

"We can't believe he has gone. Roger devoted himself to looking after others and we’ll all miss him."

The South Oxhey community have helped raise nearly £3,000 to pay for funeral costs for Mr Douglas-Brown, who never married and did not have any children.

Ms Copeland said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked by the donations. Even people who haven't been able to donate have shared the page. A florist has donated flowers. The community spirit in South Oxhey is absolutely outstanding."

Mr Douglas-Brown's death has been referred to the coroner. As a result, a date has not yet been set for his funeral.

Donate to the Go Fund Me page here.