A funeral will be held tomorrow for the co-founder of a Tower Hamlets charity who was the father of 14 children and fostered dozens more.

Roger Mason, who died of a heart attack on July 11, adopted 12 children, including some with mental and physical disabilities, and had three children of his own. He also fostered more than 50 children over 35 years.

Together with his wife Pamela, who he lived with in Bow, he set up the Tower Project, based in Whitehorse Road in Whitechapel, to provide services for children and adults with disabilities.

His adopted son, Martin Mason, 32, said: “To us all he was a one in a million dad and he was a friend to so many people.

“He was a kind and loving man who always had time for people. He gave up his life as a sheet-metal worker early to be our dad.”

The funeral service will be held at Bow Road Methodist Church at 1pm. Mr Mason will be laid to rest at City of London Crematorium.

Afterwards his life will be celebrated at the Bow Bells pub.