Tributes to 'talented, outgoing and inspirational' East Lancs snowboarder

Jonathan Greenwood, 33, passed away on October 27, while still mourning his truck driver dad Alan Greenwood, 59, who died in 2010.

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Members of the ski and snowboarding fraternity will be travelling from across the country and beyond on Tuesday evening to attend a celebration of Jonny's life at Ski Rossendale, where he worked as an attendant.

Jonny, of Townsend Street, Waterfoot, was a British Snowboarding Champion at the age of 16 and was well known in the snowboarding community having travelled to Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and France in pursuit of his passion.

Close family friend and retired Olympic skier, Joe Tomlinson, said he was devastated to have lost his inspirational friend.

The 23-year-old, who owns Prime Personal Training gym in Rawtenstall with his twin brother Sam, said: "Jonny was very outgoing. I used to ski with him a lot and he was crazy, he would just go for things.

"He was a bit of a role model. He brought the fun to the slopes and was extremely talented. He brought the sport to Ski Rossendale, he made the place what it is today. Nobody was snowboarding there when he started."

Dave Fuller, operations manager at Ski Rossendale, said his death would be a real loss to the sport.

Speaking on behalf of Jonny's friends at the centre, he said: "We are all shocked and saddened by the news. He was a positive person who inspired boarders of all standards and ages.

"It is a tragic loss to all his friends and family. We thought it would be a nice thing to do to bring people together to hold a celebration of Jonny's life and would like anybody who knew him to join us."

The Ski Rossendale team are also looking to create a plaque in his memory.

A memorial to celebrate Jonny’s life will take place from 7.30pm on Tuesday and the funeral will take place on Monday at Burnley Crematorium at 2.20pm. Lancashire Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.