Donations have poured in to the fundraising page of a "true hero" who died while taking part in the RideLondon cycling event .
Cancer survivor Robin Chard passed away following the race on Sunday (July 31), in which he was participating to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Event organisers said the 48-year-old, of Bicester, Oxfordshire, had suffered a cardiac arrest at Kingston Bridge at around the 25-mile mark.
He died later in Kingston Hospital, despite receiving immediate treatment from fellow cyclists and medics at the scene.
'He was doing something he loved to raise money for charity'
His wife Vickie said: "Robin was doing something he loved to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause that was very important to him after losing his father, his mother's partner and my mother to cancer.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has helped and supported Robin and me, especially the event stewards, the event team and the amazing staff at Kingston Hospital."
Mr Chard's JustGiving page had already passed £700 before he lined up for the race, but a flood of donations following the tragic news sent it rocketing past the £3,000 mark shortly after midday on Monday (August 1).
His niece Sophie Louise Jenkins, writing on Facebook, said he had died "doing something so close to his heart" and his family were incredibly proud.
"Please could we share (his fundraising page) and continue to raise as much money as possible for a true hero! We love you," she added.
The event organisers also paid their respects, saying: "Everyone involved in Prudential RideLondon would like to express sincere condolences to Robin's family and friends."
33 out of nearly 30,000 cyclists taken to hospital this year
Mr Chard was among thousands of riders taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 event - a 100 mile cycle ride through London and Surrey.
Organisers said just under 30,000 riders had completed the 100-mile and 46-mile events this year.
They said 33 participants were taken to hospital, seven of whom remained there, and three riders had been seriously injured.
Last year, 39 riders ended up in hospital, with nine remaining there overnight or for longer.
On his JustGiving page, Mr Chard told how he had lost both his father and mother-in-law to cancer, and he had survived Hodgkin Lymphoma when he was younger.
Friends and family, along with strangers who had taken part in the ride, were among those leaving tributes as they made donations.
Moving tributes from donors
One anonymous post read: "Hi daddy, I'm so proud of you. Well done for getting as far as you did. I love you so so so much, I know you'll be proud of all the money you raised. You did such an amazing thing. I love you xxxxxxxx"
Emma Norton-Smith wrote: "RIP Robin, I can't quite believe the news. Many childhood memories with your family. Much love to you all xxx"
Another donor wrote: "Your family should be very proud R.I.P. From another 'middle aged bloke riding a road bike, dressed in dodgy looking Lycra'" - a reference to a self-deprecating comment posted by Mr Chard.
Riders set off from the Olympic Park and passed through Surrey before finishing on The Mall in central London.
It was delayed after two nasty crashes left two riders in hospital with serious injuries.
Tom Boonen won the professional RideLondon-Surrey Classic event, in which three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was among the competitors .
