PEOPLE from across the globe have paid tribute to a popular ski instructor from Southampton who has died.

Aidan Mattingly was a skiing instructor and freestyle coach who taught children and young people from all over the world.

While teaching in Australia, Aidan was diagnosed with an extremely rare type of bone cancer, that affects fewer than 30 young people a year in the UK, called Ewing’s sarcoma in his left leg.

His leg began to swell but, believing it was just another skiing injury, he tossed a coin to decide whether or not to go to the hospital.

But within 24 hours of entering the King Alfred hospital in Sydney, he was diagnosed with the aggressive cancer.

Aidan flew back to the UK to face 18 months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

“He never complained or got down. He always had a smile on his face,” said his mother Sandra.

Described by his family as a kind, gentle and free-spirited man, Aidan battled the cancer and was eventually given the all-clear.

Following his clean bill of health, he trained with the Paralympic ski team and then returned to Perisher ski resort in Australia, where he returned to teaching part-time.

“Aidan loved skiing, Perisher was one of his favourite places on the planet and teaching was his favourite thing to do,” said his mother.

He then went on a road trip with his brother Craig across New Zealand and went skiing in Japan.

After returning to England, the 26-year-old fell ill again and after a trip to the hospital for what he thought was a chest infection, he was told the cancer had returned in his neck and bone marrow.

With no more treatment available on the NHS, Aidan’s life expectancy was short.

Family and friends of the former Bellemoor student rallied around with a target of £25,000 to enable Aidan to complete a bucket-list of things he wanted to do before he died.

More than £13,000 was raised before he succumbed to the illness last week. The money will now be used to “make other people smile”, although the family have not decided how best to do this.

Since his death, tributes and pictures have flooded his Facebook page from friends, family members and former students all over the world.

“He was ultimately ours but he belonged to everyone,” said Sandra.

Although the Ewing’s sarcoma is extremely rare, Sandra’s friend also lost their daughter, Abby, to the disease. She is now encouraging people to donate to the charity which was set up in Abby’s memory.

To donate visit: abbys-heroes.org.

The service will start at 2pm on May 5 at:
Southampton Crematorium East Chapel, Basset Green Road

Anyone wanting to send flowers: S.M. Forbes Funeral Directors, 80 St Mary's Street in Southampton