'Sam was overcoming MND to live extraordinary life'

Emma Perkins said her husband committed himself to helping others after his diagnosis

Tributes have been paid to a keen athlete and Nottingham Forest fan who has died after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019.

Sam Perkins, from East Leake in Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with the incurable condition aged 37, and raised more than £250,000 for research through his charity Stand Against MND.

His wife Emma Perkins said he dedicated his time after being diagnosed to helping others and raising awareness.

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said the club was saddened at the loss, while a professor at the University of Nottingham said the funds he raised would leave a lasting legacy.

Sam Perkins was a keen triathlete before he was diagnosed with MND in 2019

Mr Perkins also set up the Fifty50 campaign to recruit 50 fundraisers to raise money in 2023, the name recognising the 50% chance of dying in the first two years after being diagnosed with MND.

It raised more than double its original £25,000 target, with former Forest captain Joe Worrall among the supporters.

Ms Perkins said she was proud of the way her husband dedicated the time he had left to fundraising, which included taking part in races and even writing children's books.

"He wasn't just overcoming MND to live a normal life, he was overcoming MND to live an extraordinary life and help others," she said.

Chrissie Wellington, a four-time Ironman Triathlon world champion who helped raise money for Mr Perkins's charity efforts, said he approached every challenge "with positivity, and with a smile, and with grit and with gusto".

"If we could all live our lives a little bit like Sam, I think the world would be a much better place," she said.

Friends and family rallied round to help Mr Perkins with his fundraising efforts

Alan Perkins said his son "was an inspiration to so many and also to me".

"He never ceased to amaze me with his strength, courage, determination and such a wonderful attitude that he showed through everything MND threw at him," he said.

"I will always cherish the special memories of our time together supporting Forest."

Nuno said he was pleased to have met Mr Perkins, adding he is "a beautiful example" of the connection between the club and the city.

"Sam was such a special person, [with] all the charity that he did, and he was a big Forest fan," he said.

"We are sad, but I think it is an example for us to always [do] those things in life, [to] help each other."

'A special person'

MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves and leads to weaknesses that gradually get worse.

According to the NHS, early symptoms of the condition can include slurred speech, weakness in the legs and ankles, muscle cramps and twitches.

Rob Layfield, from the University of Nottingham's medical school, has been leading research into MND, with Stand Against MND helping to fund a PhD student and undergraduate researchers.

He said Mr Perkins was "a real inspiration" for the team, adding his fundraising and awareness efforts allowed them "to do more ambitious research".

"We really want Sam's legacy to be one that goes on for many years, and we think the things he's put in place encouraging the research I think will bear fruit in the next five to 10 years," he said.

"Whenever I see Nottingham Forest and they win I think of Sam.

"He's just a big part of Nottingham, he's a big part of the university, and he really will be missed."

Mr Perkins helped raise more than £250,000 through his charity Stand Against MND