|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Clare Freeman, 6 October 2014.
Jody Duff from Lordswood, Chatham who raised £38,000 for Motor Neurone Disease Association has died.
Tributes have poured in after an 'inspirational man' who raised nearly
£40,000 for Motor Neurone Disease lost his fight for life.
Jody Duff's family lived by the motto "great PMA" and despite suffering
from Motor Neurone Disease, his own positive mental attitude was an
inspiration to all who met him.
Jody, who died at the weekend, raised thousands of pounds for charity
helped by his family, friends and local community.
The Walk to D'Feet Sponsored Walk in August raised over £7500.
They started off with a target of £5,000 but the total on his justgiving
page now stands at more than £38,000.
The 37-year-old from Lordswood organised successful fundraising events
for the MND Association, including an ice bucket challenge, a sponsored
walk and a family fun day centred around his local pub, the "Victoria
Cross" in Lordswood.
Pub manager Sagar Pandey said: “He was a great gentleman who will be
greatly missed by all our customers. Our thoughts go out to his family
on behalf of all of us.”
Tributes to the 37-year-old from Lordswood have been posted on Facebook,
describing him as a true gentleman, a lovely man, and a legend.
Jody's efforts won him national renown - and special mention at a
Coldplay gig.
Jody's fundraising total includes a £10,000 donation from Coldplay
frontman Chris Martin.
A lifelong Coldplay fan, Jody met the band in July after a concert at
the Royal Albert Hall.
Chris Martin sat and talked with Jody before inviting him to come to the
show the following evening where he dedicated Jody’s favourite song, Fix
You, to him.
A charity boxing match takes place on Sunday October 19 at Casino Rooms,
Rochester where Jody was a regular and well-known customer.
On behalf of Paul Stone, his family and all at Casino Rooms, owner Aaron
Stone said: "Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the legend
Jody Duff.
"Jody was a genuine hero in the truest sense and never arrived anywhere
without a mischievous smile on his face. Despite all his intense
challenges and struggles that would have rendered others housebound, he
was always out in a sharp suit looking for the best party in town. As if
that wasn't enough, he carried himself with a charismatic charm and
intellectual air that left many of us awestruck.
Jody Duff with friends and family at the funday for MNDA at the Victoria
Cross pub, Lordswood.
"We often use the word “Inspirational” without really thinking what it
means. To me it is a term for someone, who by their own actions, makes
others want to do better and be better. If there is anyone that I have
met that was inspirational, it was Jody Duff. He was the real deal.
"Jody - you will be missed by many and you should know that you have
certainly left your mark in the hearts and minds of everyone that you
came into contact with. I consider it a genuine privilege to have called
you my friend."
Pamela Fry, regional fundraiser for the MND Association said: “ I met
Jody and his family just a few weeks ago at their sponsored walk in
Chatham attended by over 200 people and this is very sad news indeed.
"Jody was such a delightful, positive and motivating person who always
had time for others. Together with his family and friends they did so
much to raise funds for and awareness of motor neurone disease.
“Jody touched so many people and the recent story of his meeting
Coldplay too was amazing and inspirational.”
|
