TRIBUTES have been paid from far and wide to a popular Hampshire radio presenter and DJ.

After battling cancer for the past year, Matt Auckland has died at the age of 40.

Originally from Bishop’s Waltham, Matt studied media at Fareham College and lived in Southampton where he soon became a big character on the local music scene.

Founder of Sumo Radio and owner of The Laughing Buddha IT Solutions, Matt was also a freelance web developer, radio presenter and producer, DJ and blogger.

He worked as head of broadcast IT at Unity 101 Community Radio and Voice FM Southampton and received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Now dozens of people are paying tribute to the “generous, friendly and encouraging lad”, who was single and left one brother and two sisters.

Ram Kalyan, better known as Kelly, station manager at Unity 101 Community Radio, said: “Matthew was full of life, always willing to help anyone who asked.

“He had been with Unity 101 Community Radio for 15 years, he did so much to bring our radio station to 21st century, IT digital technology was his bag, a genius. He has left a big hole in my life, in our volunteers and in the community.”

Matt also produced a weekly radio show called Global House Party, which was co-hosted by Paul Ridney and Mark Hill and broadcast in six countries. But Paul said the Global House Party will not continue and added: “It was his project and it feels wrong to try to continue without him. I’m devastated.

“The amount of time he gave to people who wanted to try to work in music or radio is incredible. I hope we can all learn from him. His commitment and obsession with music is something I’ll always remember.”

Matt, who died at Southampton General Hospital, attended Bishop’s Waltham Infant School and Swanmore Secondary School.

His brother Chris said: “He was someone who has always put the community before anything else. He was a good guy, a big kid. He asked to have ice cream and jelly at his funeral and wanted people to wear what they would wear when they go clubbing.”

His family has also launched a fundraising campaign to support organisations close to Matt’s heart including PWSA UK, Enham Trust and Voice FM.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/matt-auckland.

Matt’s funeral will be held at St Peter’s Church in Bishop’s Waltham on May 16 at 2pm.