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Gay news: 'Rather than let it beat him, he focused on life and tried to make it better for other people in the same situation'
Clint Walters
HIV activist Clint Walters dies at 31
HIV and AIDS activist and fundraiser Clint Walters has died from a heart attack aged 31.
The national campaigner, who devoted his life to combating ignorance and supporting others living with the disease, was discovered at his home in Clapham, south London, on Sunday.
He initially "lost all hope" when he was diagnosed with the virus aged just 17, but began treatment and started to regain his fitness.
After being discharged from hospital in time to sit his A-levels, he travelled to San Francisco to work and study at a University of California AIDS Health project.
He later wrote: "My whole world opened up for the first time. I came to terms with my diagnosis and worked at several amazing agencies, learning as much as I could. I decided to head back to the UK to provide the support I never had."
In 1999, he founded Health Initiatives for Youth UK to provide peer support to young people living with HIV/AIDS, and began touring the country's schools, colleges and prisons with his direct advice for teenagers.
His fundraising activities included competing in the London Marathon, abseiling off South Africa's Table Top mountain, skydiving and cycling from London to Paris.
However, he died before he raised the funding to set up the UK's first weekend HIV testing clinic and support centre for young people under the age of 27.
One of his close friends, Mark Fell, told the Independent that the fundraising would continue so "his legacy can live on", adding: "He was the most amazingly inspirational person. He virtually lived on the breadline and completely dedicated his life to charity."
Another, Neil Parrett, said: "Rather than let it beat him, he focused on life and tried to make it better for other people in the same situation.
"He took calls from young people all over the country and people came to stay with him if they were struggling to come to terms with the diagnosis. He was completely selfless."
