THE co-founder of a charity paid tribute to a 104-year-old supporter who has died three years after becoming the oldest man to complete the London Marathon.

Pierre Jean Martin, who was known as Buster, finished the marathon in 2008 in aid of the Epping-based Rhys Daniels Trust, which provides accommodation to the families of children being treated at specialist hospitals far from home.

Barry Daniels, who started the charity with Carmen Daniels following the death of their son Rhys and daughter Charly from the devastating Late Infantile Batten's Disease, said Mr Martin was a “remarkable man.”

“He was a lovely gentleman and was a typical guy that loved to do his bit for a good cause,” he added. “He never gave up on his life and kept as busy as possible.”

Mr Martin got involved with the charity through his job as a van washer at one of its supporters, Pimlico Plumbers, where he worked until his death on Wednesday (April 13).

Mr Daniels said: “The son of (his boss) Charlie Mullins was 32 and ran the marathon with Buster.

“On the Monday morning, he couldn’t get up because he was in such a bad way, but Buster was up at 8am, cleaning the vans.”

Mr Martin hoped to scoop a world record in 2008, when he was 101, as the oldest man ever to run the London Marathon, which he completed in 10 hours.

But the French-born Lambeth man was denied the title as he could not produce his birth certificate.

The Rhys Daniels Trust was eventually given just over £13,500 from bets placed on him completing the marathon, after he presented a British passport showing his date of birth.

He also took part in the five-mile Epping Fun Run in 2009 and went to the charity’s annual fundraising balls.

“He would still be up at 2am at the Butterfly Ball and was one of those fellas who would never give up,” said Mr Daniels.

Mr Martin’s funeral is being arranged in Bermondsey in May by FA Albin and Sons.