A family has been left devastated by the sudden death of a popular Dumfries schoolboy during a holiday in Florida.
Sixteen-year-old Matthew Dunn from Southerness passed away last Monday on the dream trip with his dad Graham, step-mum Becky and brother Callum.
The sports-mad St Joseph’s College student had been planning a career in the RAF.
He is being flown home to Scotland from Florida today.
His family, school pals, colleagues and teammates are trying to come to terms with their grief.
Matthew’s mum Michelle told the Standard: “We are all devastated. Matthew had his whole future formed out and was hoping to join the RAF next year. Now that has been cruelly taken away from him.
“We will all miss his witty sense of humour and his love for life. Fly high Matthew, till we meet again son.”
She added: “The funeral arrangements will be made in due course. We have lost a fun-loving son, step-son, brother, step-brother, cousin, nephew, grandson, colleague and close friend.
“I and his step-dad Davy, step-brother Ben and sister Naomi, along with the rest of the family have been inundated with so many kind messages of support during this really sad time .
“We have taken great comfort from that.”
Michelle, 41, said from the age of 14 Matthew worked at JJ’s chippy at Southerness Holiday Park.
She said: “He was a really popular member of staff.
“Recently he went to work in Dumfries at McDonald’s and had worked with Soriani’s mobile chip shop for 18 months.
“Matthew was a talented footballer and for the past two years played for the South West Scotland regional team.
“He played for Greystone Rovers as well – he was a machine on the pitch and did not stop.”
Staff and pupils at St Joseph’s College have been left deeply saddened by the sudden passing of the popular pal and student.
Head teacher Bernie Jones said: “Matthew was a very popular pupil not only in his group but across the school.
“He loved sports, particularly football and was a fabulous team player, always giving his best until the final whistle.
“The thoughts and deepest sympathy of the whole school community are very much with him and his family at this time.”
