TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bolton man, who made a difference around the world.

Philip Richard Gibbs was the chairman of Emmaus Bolton and co-founder of Bolton Bond Board but died peacefully at home on March 3.

The 72-year-old was the son of the late Robert and Alexandra, dear brother of Rick and the late Ian, loving uncle to Freya, Jim and Anna and brother-in-law to Maggie.

Brother Rick said: "He was a very kind-hearted person and lots of people who were in need have had a lot of lovely things to say about him.

"He was such a generous person.

"Indirectly, he has helped people around the world.

"He has an estate and money will go to Emmaus and the International Rotary Fund so that will be keeping on helping people around the world.

"Philip left school when he was 15 or 16 with no academic qualifications to his name but he has gone on to achieve massive amounts.

"He was a pivotal member in three successful charity organisations.

"The first was Horwich Rotary where he was involved in an intervention project trying to alleviate poverty in Brazil.

"He did a lot of travelling around the world with that.

"The second thing was that he was founder of the Bolton Bond Board as 30 years ago, Phil was a chartered surveyor and landlord and created a fund to compensate landlords if people were not able to cover the bill and it grew and grew and the local council took it up.

"Emmaus had been long standing in France dealing with homelessness as it created community and give self-funding solution for people to live.

"18 months ago he became the chairman."

Rick added that Philip had a private pilot licence.

"Philip was single and met many people and formed lots of relationships with people and as I have been ringing people about his death, I have been uplifted by the level of love for him and he was an accomplished professional person."

His funeral took place on Thursday.

Donations in Phil's memory to Emmaus or The Christie, c/o Deighans Funeral Service, 81 Mason St, Horwich, BL6 SRB; Tel. 01204 694999.