TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Proud of Barnsley winner who has died of cancer at the age of 38.

Jonathan Booth, known as Hubba, of Robert Avenue, Cundy Cross, died on Sunday at Barnsley Hospital.

His family described him as ‘one of a kind’ who loved to live life to the full.

Sister Nicola Cooper, 36, said: “Everyone keeps saying to us that when he walked into a room, it lit up. A lot of people knew what he was going through, but he didn’t sit and complain.

“He was very popular and had lots of friends a lot of people that we don’t even know. But they still remember him and talk about him. He left an impression on everyone that he spoke to. It definitely helps that so many people thought nice things about him and it’s nice to hear their stories.”

Jonathan was diagnosed with saliva gland cancer in 2003. He underwent surgery and radiotherapy but the cancer returned in 2007. In the summer of 2016, he was told his illness was terminal.

His mum Diane said he discovered photography through his illness. He particularly enjoyed photographing landscapes and had travelled to Norway and Scotland. He also enjoyed spending time with his friends though had not been well enough over the last year.

She said: “He had to have something to occupy his mind, to concentrate on.”

Jonathan was presented with the Charity Fundraiser Proud of Barnsley award in 2016 after cycling 1,000 miles in 15 days to raise money for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Diane said: “He couldn’t believe it, he was over the moon. On the night of the awards, we were sitting on a table with a young girl who was up for an award in a different category. She didn’t win but when Jonathan won, he got a bunch of flowers. He gave them straight to her and said she deserved them. That was the type of person he was.”

Jonathan had not ridden a bike since he was a boy, but he didn’t let that stop him completing the ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End. He surprised everyone by finishing a day earlier than planned, and raised more than £10,000.

Diane said: “He had to have a goal, it kept him going.”

She said Jonathan had spent short spells on ward 24 at Barnsley Hospital and at the Barnsley Hospice, and thanked staff for the care he received.

Jonathan’s funeral will be held on Monday September 24 at Ardsley Crematorium at 2.10pm, and at the Full House in Monk Bretton afterwards.

Family flowers only.