A mugging victim has touched the hearts of thousands of well-wishers – including the notorious violent criminal turned artist Charles Salvador, also known as Charles Bronson.

Bronson has gone down in history as one of the most famous inmates in the British prison system but is also known to have a softer side, which has prompted him to raise money for Bradley Hannan.

Mr Hannan, a frail man of six stone who has previously battled brain tumours, was punched in the head and robbed last month while on his way home from volunteering at Medway hospital.

But people have since helped raise thousands of pounds, which was presented to him at the weekend.

To add to the pot, the Charles Salvador Foundation held an online auction for a recent piece of art and said Bronson had got in touch with Mr Hannan to say: “Lolly, all day long for Bradley. Fantastic.”

The bidding ended on Tuesday, raising £430.

Previous artwork sold by his foundation has fetched more than £1,000.

Speaking of the attacker, Bronson went on: “Brave picking on him, eh? 6 stone. It’s a sick old world out there.”

The foundation also sent a picture of a card from Bronson saying: “A nice few quid for you to have a great Crimbo. Don’t allow them worms to change your life.

“Get back out there and show them they can never beat you. Your (sic) well respected and have many supporters and a smashing family.

“You take care now. A friend, Charles Salvador.”

He added: “Them worms will get there (sic) just deserts. See how they like it. Who knows, they may end up next to me. How nice would that be!”

Fitness fan Bronson became famous as almost unmanageable in prison.

A fictionalised biographical film starring Tom Hardy as Bronson was released in 2008, bringing the inmate to wider public attention.

He changed his name to "help those in positions even less fortunate than his own".