AN entrepreneur renowned for his charity work in aid of Downs Syndrome children has died of a heart attack while out jogging.

Danny Mardell, 43, the businessman behind the Bossgroup property company and a former Chingford resident, collapsed while running near his Docklands home last Tuesday at 5pm.

He was discovered by a teacher at a nearby school and taken to Newham General Hospital, where he died shortly after 6pm. Because he was running and had no identification on him it was several days before Mr Mardell was identified.

The father of three was a British white collar heavyweight boxing champion.

He raised hundreds of thousands of pounds through his fights and charity events in aid of his Downs' Syndrome charity Danny's Challenge, after his first son, Danny junior, was born with the condition ten years ago.

David Mardell, Danny's brother, said: "The man really was full of life. He was a great dad who loved his children with all his heart. We're all going to miss him.

"He couldn't do enough for his children. When he died he had been taking flying lessons so he could take them up with him when he got his license."

Madeleine Hollyoak, Danny's mother, said: "He was a very good son and father and his children are going to miss him.

"He had such a lot of ambition. He did so many things to raise money for Downs Syndrome, he even cycled the Great Wall of China for the charity. He probably achieved half of all the things he wanted to get done.

"He used to love going out to the country with his children and hoped one day to move out there so they could benefit. He wanted to teach them how to horse ride."

His father Ron said: "My son was a very generous man and more than anything I have lost a very dear friend."

Mr Mardell leaves three children, seven year old Pia, Frankie, who was nine on Saturday, and Danny.

The funeral takes place on Tuesday. A procession begins from his home in Manchester Road, Dock-lands, at 1pm and proceeds to All Saints Church, Old Church Road, Chingford, for a service at 2.30pm.