After our office heard about the shocking and sad news that HIV campaigner and long time friend of Staying Alive Clint Walters had passed away aged just 30 years of age, we wanted to pay our respects to him.  Clint was one of the first young people in the UK to publicly declare his HIV status.  He used his experience to motivate and encourage other young people to get informed, get tested and protect themselves.  Clint also featured in one of our very first PSAs.

Out of respect and knowing that Clint had a tight circle of friends around him, we thought we would give  them the opportunity to pay their respects, and write the article in their own words.  Louise Gillespie-Smith, an image and confidence coach and one of Clint’s closest friends, shares her thoughts below.

Photo: Taken from the RIP Clint Walters Facebook Page

Our loving and inspirational friend Clint Walters passed away on Sunday 4th April, aged just 30 yrs old.  Clint contracted HIV when he was just 17, there wasn’t much support in the UK for this illness back then so Clint travelled to San Francisco to work and study with the University of California Aids Health project. The support he received there gave him positive hope and helped him come to terms with his illness. Instead of letting it defeat him he took the decision to devote his life to helping young people back in UK who were dealing with HIV and AIDS. On returning to London he set up his charity Health Initiatives, he was the support for young people all over the country who had just been diagnosed, were fearful of actually going for a test or maybe had a loved one with the disease.

Over the past 10 years Clint took part in a BBC documentary where he had to train to run the London Marathon in 6 months, was an ambassador for MTV’s Staying Alive, he took part in the London to Paris cycle ride, had a regular column in Positive Nation magazine, led the march at London Gay Pride and was always in the papers raising awareness of his cause. In 2005 he “was amazed and grateful” to be granted a fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to research HIV, clinical projects, support and educational programmes for young people in the Netherlands, South Africa and the USA. It was an invaluable chance of a life time, and ultimately life changing experience for him.

No matter what pressures Clint went through he stayed determined to his cause, even when he had down days he would come back fighting. He was loved by many and there will be a huge gaping hole in our world without him. Following are quotes from some of his closest friends

Damon Nicholls, who had known Clint from his school days, said “Clint had an innocence and light prior to his diagnosis and that he retained to the end. He always liked to see the best in people. His cup was always half full not half empty. He inspired me”

Mark Fell, who helped him with his charity, said “Clint was always an inspiration to many people, who’s heart he touched with his positive energy. He always managed to put a smile on everyone’s face and if you were feeling down he helped to pull you back up again. Always a bundle of energy and he will be missed by all who were close to him and even those who were just knew him from walking down the street. A walking Angel.”

Alison, another great friend, said “When I first met Clint we just clicked immediately he had the cheekiest grin and laugh I’d ever seen in someone and this started an amazing friendship with him. His life was his charity work which he lived, breathed and slept 24/7 if necessary… there’s just too many things I’m going to miss, I could talk about my time with him forever,  I’ll miss him so much.”

Clint was in one of our Staying Alive PSAs, way back in 1999. Check it out below:

Clint Walters inspired many – too many to fit on one blog post, so if you would like to pay your respects please leave a message in the comment box below…