A MAN who travelled the world checking off countries on his bucket-list after being told his cancer was terminal has died aged 42.

After doctors broke the news to IT consultant Matt Marshall, he became more determined than ever to see the world and live his life to the full.

As well as travelling from Israel to America, swimming with dolphins in Cuba, cuddling Koalas in Australia and bobsleighing in Innsbruck as the guest of the Junior British Bobsleigh team whose marketing he did, Mr Marshall also raised thousands of pounds for the hospice that helped him near his home .

Mr Marshall, who was born and raised in Bradford and whose parents Sheelagh and David Marshall lived in the Heaton area until retiring to Bridlington five years ago, died at his home in Hertfordshire on March 10.

He was just about to move home to be with his parents when he collapsed and died.

Just before his death, the former St Bede's pupil raised £1,250 for the Hospice of St Francis through a pub cricket match. He had undergone major surgery in November 2013 to remove part of his stomach and lower oesophagus after being diagnosed with cancer.

Doctors had given him the all clear but the cancer returned in July.

His mum said: "It scared us that Matt was going off travelling when he knew he could die at anytime but it was what he wanted to do. Sometimes he travelled alone and other times he went with friends. He was a people person and made friends wherever he went."

After his death, money is still being raised in his memory.

Four bikers have just travelled across America in his memory and in aid of the hospice that cared for him.

He had hoped to live long enough to be at the massive USA fundraising event held on Bank Holiday Monday called the Rolling Thunder Rally, which sees more than one million motorbikers gather to take on the ride from Arizona to Washington DC.

It was contacts he had made while working in the USA who took part in the ride his memory - donations can still be made at justgiving.com/remembermattmarshall

Mrs Marshall added: "He loved to travel for both business and pleasure and kept it up as long as he could.

"In the few months before he died he managed to achieve three of his ambitions.

"As the guest of the Junior British Bobsleigh team for which he did their marketing he was at Innsbruck with them for the championships and went down the actual run in a bobsleigh twice.

"He went out to Australia and held a baby koala bear and also to Cuba where he swam with dolphins. We are so proud of everything he did."

To watch the official Rolling Thunder Motorcycle rally, go to youtube/21MzZNIw9KY