TRIBUTES have been paid to an “inspirational” man who dedicated his working life to helping vulnerable children, after he was killed in a road crash.

Dr Colin Hawkes, of Walpole Road in South Woodford, was killed after he collided with a car while cycling on Wednesday morning (January 19).

Mr Hawkes, 64, spent the last 13 years working for the NSPCC, and his former colleagues said he had made a real difference to the lives of many children.

Wes Cuell, NSPCC director of services for children and families, said: “It is with enormous sadness that we heard about the tragic death of Dr Colin Hawkes, who was a highly-valued senior member of our National Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (NCATS) which works with some of the most troubled children in society.

“Colin, who was a children's services manager and had worked for the NSPCC for 17 years, was an integral member of the NCATS team and was widely known and admired across the society.

“Colin's loss will be felt throughout the organisation and, most notably, by his colleagues and friends in the NCATS team.”

Anita Green, vice-chairwoman of the charity's board of trustees, said: “Colin was a remarkable man who gave so much to the children, some of whom were so very young and so badly damaged.

“His was some of the hardest work in the child protection world and I know from our conversations that it did not come without a personal price.

“He was an inspirational man.”

Mr Hawkes was hit in Carleton Road, at the junction with Pleshey Road, in Holloway, north London, at around 8am.

Paramedics rushed him to a hospital in east London, but he later died. A date has not yet been set for a post-mortem.

The driver of the car, a 34-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and then bailed to return to police in May.

Anyone with information should call the Road Death Investigation Unit at Alperton Traffic Garage on 020 8998 5319.

Did you know Mr Hawkes? Would you like to pay tribute to him? Please call Guardian reporter James Ranger on 07795 316 221 or email jranger@london.newsquest.co.uk.